Philomena (2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philomena is a contemporary drama which premiered in 2013.

 

It is based on a book which was published in 2009:

 

The Lost Child of Philomena

by Martin Sixsmith

 

Both book and drama are based on a true story.

 

An old woman (Philomena Lee) is searching for the child who was taken from her and given up for adoption in 1955, almost fifty years ago, when she was only 22 and her boy was only three years old.

 

A journalist (Martin Sixsmith), who is helping her with the search, is planning to write a book about the case.

 

The story is set in the UK, in Ireland, and in the United States in 2003 and 2004.

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** Director: Stephen Frears

** Writers: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope

** Released on DVD in 2014

** Available via Amazon Prime Video

** Run time: 97 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Judy Dench as Philomena Lee (born 1933)

** Steve Coogan as Martin Sixsmith (born 1954)

** Sophie Kennedy Clark as young Philomena (covering the years 1952-1955)

 

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. 

 

Therefore, I could reveal many details about what happens in this drama, but I am not going to do that. I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone.

 

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Not everything happened exactly as shown here. 

 

Some details may have been added, altered or excluded for practical reasons or dramatic purposes. 

 

But the basic story is true.

 

What do reviewers say about this drama?

 

Here are the results of three review aggregators:

 

** 76 per cent = IMDb

** 77 per cent = Meta

** 89 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

** 91 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

 

On Amazon UK there are at the moment more than 3,500 ratings of this product, more than 2,200 with reviews.

 

The average rating is 4.7 stars, which corresponds to a rating of 94 percent.

 

I understand the numerous positive reviews and I agree with them.

 

Why?

 

I have four reasons:

 

# 1. The script is well-written.

# 2. The actors play their roles well.

# 3. The story is captivating, dramatic and often highly emotional.

# 4. The drama is based on a true story.

 

Some scenes are funny (I think they will make you smile or laugh), while other scenes are serious (I think they will make you angry).

 

This drama is an elegant combination of funny and serious elements.

 

It is not only entertaining. It is also educational. It will give you something to think about.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

REFERENCE

 

Martin Sixsmith,

"The Catholic church sold my child,"

The Guardian,

19 September 2009

 

*****

The Lost Child of Philomena:

A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty Year Search

by Martin Sixsmith

(2009)

 

*****

Philomena Lee

(born 1933)

 

*****