Philomena

Philomena

Format: Film

Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan

Director: Stephen Frears

Released: November 1, 2013

Certificate: 12

Running time: 98 minutes

My rating:  ★★★★★

"Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena (Judi Dench) was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a "fallen woman". When her baby was only a toddler, he was taken away by the nuns for adoption in America. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him but with no success. Then she met Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), a world-weary political journalist who happened to be intrigued by her story. Together they set off to America on a journey that will discover the truth behind Philomena's son." (Extract taken from amazon.co.uk)

My mum has been waiting to see this film for a while, so when my local cinema started to show it again before its DVD release I was dragged along to watch too. I had seen and heard rumours and comments made about this film previously, along with watching it snatch up the Best Adapted Screenplay award at the recent BAFTAs, so I had high hopes for this film and thankfully it did not disappoint.

Based on true events, Steve Coogan has done a wonderful job of co-adapting this tale into a magnificent story, with injections of humour throughout that are uplifting among the theme of loss and tragedy but do not take it away completely. Judi Dench provides an incredible performance in the title role that truly makes you emphasise and feel for Philomena, and constantly takes you back to remember the harsh reality that young mothers went through at that time.

Overall, I am extremely impressed with this film. Dench and Coogan are magnificent, and the story is incredibly moving - filled with tragedy and heartbreak, but the hope that there is light even in the darkest of times. This film has proved suprisingly enlightening and inspiring, and I have no doubt it is a tale that will stay with me for a while.