The Lost Child of Philomena Lee

Philomena Lee was a woman who became pregnant during the 1950's, who was sent to a nunnery in Ireland to have her baby, and whose baby was subsequently given up for adoption, in 2004 she met a journalist who helped her uncover the story, who subsequently wrote a book about their travels, and in 2013, the book was adapted to film by Stephen Frears and Steve Coogan as Philomena, a films starring Coogan and Dame Judi Dench, as Martin Sixsmith and Philomena Lee.

From the 1920's up until the 1970's nunneries all across europe ran what were known as Magdalene Laundries, where pregnant girls, known as 'fallen women' were taken in, made to sign documents relinquishing rights to their unborn children and forced to work like slaves in laundries for many years until they had paid off their debts to the convent. Philomena was taken to one of these institutions as a young girl, and after she had her baby, it was sold to an American couple. She subsequently became haunted by thoughts of the child, and this film documents her 50 year search for her son. Their search takes them from England to Ireland,all the way to the United States and back.

The film can be classed as a serio-comedy, although the film is fairly dark in tone and serious in atmosphere, the dialogue is light, and the film has some funny moments, and the comedic chemistry between Dench and Coogan is fantastic. Overall the film has a great script, the characters feel real and developed, and the dialogue is real and honest, without becoming hammy and melodramatic. One thing i really liked about this film is the fact that it was essentially a series of short linked together scene, there is a real trend for long, takes and long scenes, and it is refreshing to see a film which manages to contain just as much development and depth using shorter scenes and takes.

The performances in this film are also great, Dench was nominated for best actress at both the Golden Globes and The Oscars, and her performance in this film is deft and strong as we have come to expect from her, Dench manages to successfully master the irish accent whilst managing to act through it, and manages to portray a deeply complex woman struggling with a secret that has haunted for 50 years, whilst also trying to maintain a grip on her faith. Dench lights up the screen with her radiance and presence, bravo!

This film is a strong indictment on the catholic church and the practice of Magdalene Laundries and how they ruined lives, the film criticizes the practices of secrecy and hiding away problems rather than resolving them. The film also critiques the catholic faith, and it's foul reliance on penance, guilt and punishment, and the idea that having sex is something that should automatically be punished. Philomena is a powerful indictment of a cruel and powerfully corrupt organization.

I was highly impressed by Philomena, this film is an important story, well written about an important story and one that needs to be seen. Philomena is a well acted, powerful drama which lifts the lid on a truly foul practice. Rating: B+

"Philomena Lee: I did not abandon my child, he was taken away from me."