Yesterday, I had the good fortune to see the movie Philomena. I will say that the movie poster shown above is a bit misleading. To me the bright yellow background and cartoonish font imply that this movie is a comedy. While there are some funny moments, I would not call it a comedy. It was very moving - quite sad in spots and maddening in others, but the most powerful feeling I'm left with is how well done the movie was - especially in the acting of Dame Judi Dench in the lead role.
This movie is based on a true story published in book form in 2009 by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith. The story is about Philomena Lee's quest to find a son who had been adopted away from her as a small child. Here is a photo from the movie of young toddler Anthony Lee being taken from the Irish convent where he was born by his new American parents, while his teenage mother looks on in horror from behind a locked gate.
On her child's 50th birthday, Philomena tells her daughter about him for the first time. The daughter shares the story with journalist Martin Sixsmith (played by Steve Coogan) who initially sets out to interview Philomena for a human interest story. When she asks him to help her find her son, he agrees, thinking this will give him more substance for his story. Little does he know he will be sucked into an investigation that will go in directions neither of them expect.
The search for Anthony begins at the convent in Ireland, and takes them to America when they learn that many of the children who were adopted out by the nuns were bought by Americans.
I am not going to give away the details of what they learn about this child. However, I will say again that the movie is worth seeing if for no other reason than to enjoy Judi Dench's performance. Here is a photo of Judi with the real Philomena.
I didn't realize this was a true story until the end, and knowing that made it all the more powerful. I am going to put the book on my wishlist.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves Judi Dench, enjoys a good mystery and doesn't mind shedding a tear in the darkness of a movie theatre!
Thanks for reading!
:)Amy
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