What was the breakout film in 2013?Β Stephen Frearsβ “Philomena,” is a drama comedy that stars Judi Dench (whose birthday falls on December 9th) and Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the script and produced the film).Β It is quite simply a masterpiece of a movie.Β After 11 days the 5 million dollars in its till are nothing.Β The surprise success of the season is “Philomena”.
This movie was based on a book written by BBC journalist and investigative reporter Martin Sixsmith entitled “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee.” Sixsmith detailed the injustice of Irish church doctrine that condoned selling Lee’s child as a teen unmarried fifty years earlier.Β The movie is based on the book “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee” by BBC correspondent and investigative reporter Martin Sixsmith. In it, he recounts how church doctrine in Ireland condoned selling her baby as an unmarried teen fifty years ago.Β She had no clue that the baby was being sold in America to wealthy parents.
She was forced to sign an agreement that prevented her from finding him/her.Β Coogan’s Sixsmith reluctantly joins Lee on her search to locate her son 50 years after the event.Β The story of her emotional journey is heartbreaking.
Coogan’s comic genius is on display as he plays Philomena with her intellectual partner, who can be a bit snobbish, but also quite cynical.Β As the story unfolds, his extreme dislike for the church grows and he begins to respect her.
Dench is known for playing upper-class roles like Evelyn Greenslade, Queen Elizabeth and M in James Bond films.Β Here she portrays a naive, but salt-of-the earth working class woman who carried this burden for half a decade.Β Dame Judi is a true professional who treats every actor with respect and sincerity.Β Her reactions, feelings and timing is pure acting gold.
Frears and Coogan deserve a big thank you.Β The story was a bit mushy and sentimental.Β It doesn’t.Β You are instead captivated and angered at the injustices that were done to her. And you admire her unwavering faith.Β This clever and poignant script does not waste or include any extra words.