Philomena (2013) Movie Review

PHILOMENA (2013) MOVIE REVIEW

Before going into this film, I was actually extremely worried about seeing it as from what I had seen from it, it didn't look like my kind of film. How wrong I was...how wrong I was. 

Based on the true story of Philomena (Judi Dench), the self-titled film follows the of a world-weary political journalist named Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) as he picks up a story based around Philomena who for her whole life, has attempted to find her son after he was taken away form her years ago after she fell pregnant and had to live in a convent. Easily the strongest aspect that the story has going for it is that all the events that occurred in the film actually did happen, which immediately makes the audience sympathize with Philomena as she and Martin begin their search. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the story was that towards the end, when everything begins going down, it really does show how angry both Martin and Philomena are. This moment of intensity really did show how angry these two were and just so I can let you watch it yourself, I shant explain why they are filled with rage. Anyhow, one of the things that was going against the film was that the trailers showed too much. I felt that the film told you who the son becomes and immediately tells you where they will go and where they end up, which is a shame as that should be what the film is about. Slowly piecing it together and finding out where her son has ended up. Anyhow, I felt that the film obviously had a strong story, and just to clarify, I would be saying this no matter whether it was a true story or not. 

Still of Steve Coogan and Judi Dench

Considering that this film has to rely mostly on each actor's performance, you would have to have great expectations for everyone's performances. Thankfully, each actor I felt did a fantastic job in their respective roles. Judi Dench was an impeccable choice to play Philomena as I felt she has that loveable old person personality, though can show stone cold emotion when required to. As for Steve Coogan, I actually thought he did as good or even better job then Judi. I felt that he provided alot of the laughs throughout this comedic drama and had me really believe that he wanted to help Philomena find her son. However, Steve was unfortunately shunned at all the award shows this year which is quite peculiar as I felt he did an amazing job as a supporting actor, and should have at least got a nomination. Anyhow, another woman that I felt did a really good job is a woman by the name of Sophie Kennedy Clark as a young Philomena. Known only for this film and a minor, minor role in the forgettable film Dark Shadows, she was only in the film for about 10 minutes at the beginning to explain the back story and I felt that she brought something special to the performance. This is especially noticeable in the scene where her son is being taken away. Here, she manages to express an incredible amount of emotion that managed to almost make me tear up as I honestly felt like that she had lost her son forever. And considering that she is more or less a new actor in Hollywood, I can guarantee you that you will be seeing her face in many different movies later in life. Overall, the acting from more or less the main three people in the film was incredibly strong and managed to begin a career, or at least improve one. 

Still of Sophie Kennedy Clark as a young Philomena

To be honest, I'm not really sure what else I can say about this film other then the fact it has incredible acting, superb chemistry between Steve and Judi and that it more than deserves to win an Oscar for Best Actress, though maybe not Best Picture. Though that would be fantastic.

OVERALL: 8.0/10