****
In the not too-distant past,
disgraced journalist Martin Sixsmith took the risk of writing a ‘human interest’
story about an elderly woman, Philomena Lee, whose child had been taken from
her half a century before, when she had been living in a convent.
From the poster and trailer, and
having never heard the story before, I assumed this would be a cheerful story.
I was wrong… this film packs some enormous emotion wallops and is perhaps one
of the most heart-wrenching experiences I’ve had in the cinema this year – you have
been warned! Of course, there are moments of humour as the two main characters,
played by Jude Dench and Steven Coogan, get to know one another, but overall
this is pretty grim. Dench is, obviously, excellent as the thoroughly wronged
Philomena, who has not abandoned her faith despite what the Church inflicted
upon her. Coogan plays the ‘straight’ and world-weary character of Sixsmith
very well, and the pair seem to have a genuine repertoire which translates to
screen very well. Coogan’s character is the way in which the audience accesses
Philomena’s tale, and perhaps his reactions are more fitting to how our own
would be when faced with the shocking truths, but it is their central
relationship that makes this film such a charming one. Of course, the scenes in
which it is just the pair of them have been fabricated for the film, but they
play very well and their gentle conversation shows how the relationship changes
from one based upon work to one seemingly based on affection. To the film’s
credit, it does not overstate the grief experience – indeed, it is performed
very well. Instead of there being lots of screaming, shouting and wailing,
there is only restrained conversation which only makes the scene more heart-breaking.
If the ‘big names’ had not been
attached to this film, I doubt it would have received a cinematic released
because the whole thing is very televisual and would not go amiss as some
Sunday afternoon viewing. It is beautifully shot, but there was nothing unique
or original about how it was shown. There were also some moments that didn’t
feel ‘real’ to me, such as when Sixsmith’s editor wanted him to stay in the
States, only for Philomena to change her mind and decide to stay the moment he
put the phone down.
If you go along, take the tissues
and prepare to have it play on your mind afterwards, because ultimately this is
a story about the strength of one incredible human being and her search for her
son amongst a web of deceit.
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