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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW Philomena
A Mother's Long, Loving Journey To Find Her Lost Son
Judi Dench as the title character and Steve Coogan as Martin Sixsmith in Stephen
Frears' drama "Philomena".
The Weinstein Company
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
FOLLOW
Wednesday,
November 27,
2013
Stephen Frears' new drama "Philomena", which opened today,
is a joyous, heartfelt treasure. The film is based on the true story of
Ireland's Philomena Lee, a mother whose "out-of-wedlock" son was taken from her
at an Irish convent in the 1950s and forced into adoption by the Catholic Church
in America. Judi Dench is marvelously winning in a fine portrayal of the
title character. She, and Steve Coogan, who plays British journalist
Martin Sixsmith, are excellent together in this poignant road and air journey to
locate Philomena's son, whom she longs to see again.
The cynical Martin goes against his nature and decides to write a human
interest story about Philomena's predicament. On their journey the
anecdotal Philomena gets immersed in American pop-culture and eating habits.
Martin's tolerance wears a little thin as roads to finding Philomena's son Anthony run
cold. Ms. Dench finds grace, compassion, forgiveness and sorrow in
Philomena in a sweet, affecting turn that warms the heart. Mr. Coogan,
also great here, utilizes gruff impatience to mask some of the delicacy and
sensitivity he has for his traveling companion, who form an odd couple.
Martin, deeply skeptical of God's presence, is a would-be son to the devout
Philomena, and in several scenes you sense her reaching out to embrace him in
that manner.
"Philomena" is an intimate, deftly-balanced film with three emotional
temperatures. Philomena's deep anguish about her son has mellowed to a restraint
and quiet persistence over the years. In Martin, a caustic, rash and
sometimes raging figure of self-righteousness, avoidance of some things is
his sanctuary. In Mr. Frears the director, there's pure elegance and
elegy. His beautiful, touching tribute to Philomena's son, in a wonderful
array of memories and footage, forms the affectionate overlay for his film.
The director is the mediating presence of Philomena's and Martin's feelings and
personalities, and his shots of Anthony show us the common object of
these radically different adventurers.
Mr. Frears smartly avoids heaping platitudes or scenes of pity on his
characters or the audience as he deliberately paces this story with succinct and
often
comedic dialogue written by Mr. Coogan and Jeff Pope. Their script is
based on Mr. Sixsmith's book The Lost Child Of Philomena Lee.
Sprinkled with some pain and sadness but absent of melodrama, the undeniably enjoyable "Philomena" is
an intelligent, moving and thoughtful film about faith, cynicism and love. There's discussion of the Catholic
Church, tradition and various complications that enliven the film without overwhelming
it. Philomena is an example of faith in the belief that her long
lost son Anthony isn't a distant memory.
Along the way we learn that Philomena's son is gay. I thought of how
some films frequently marginalize gays. As sincere and terrific as "Philomena" is
-- Mr. Frears himself is gay, by the way -- I couldn't help thinking that a
truncation of the gay voice was occurring in his film. (I had the same feeling
about the recent "Dallas Buyers Club", also based on a true story.) See
"Philomena" and see if you agree. Philomena's son is viewed
through maternal eyes. A mother is the ultimate ally of a child, but
Philomena's son doesn't truly have a voice of his own, which I suppose becomes apparent for obvious
reasons. I don't believe Mr. Frears had any ill intent; it's
simply something that's
unavoidably noticeable in a film whose care and authenticity is maintained at
all times.
That said, "Philomena", a most lovely film, is an irresistible holiday treat,
offering the kind of love, warmth, joy and goodwill that a great movie
experience should.
Also with: Mare Winningham, Simone Lahbib, Barbara Jefford, Anna Maxwell Martin,
Peter Herrmann, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Michelle Fairley, Wunmi Mosaku, Sean
Mahon.
"Philomena" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association Of America
for some strong language, thematic elements and sexual references.
The film's running time is one hour and 35 minutes.
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