Film Review: Philomena

Dir. Stephen Frears

BBC Films

4/5 stars

With an amazing performance from Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, the tragic true story of "Philomena" elevates the film from impressive to outstanding. Chronicling an elderly woman’s search for the son who was stolen from her, the film follows Philomena (Dench) from her days held captive in an old Irish nunnery to her present traverse of the U.S.

In a word, the movie is captivating. No one aspect of the film encapsulates this more than Dench. Her ability to incorporate humor, convey soul-wrenching depression and maintain the enduring innocence of an old woman bound to her faith brings more significance to the story than any corrupt nun or fateful plot point. She intrigues you, and her desires become your own.

But what’s wonderful about “Philomena” is that the film is not reliant on its talented performers. There are corrupt nuns and dramatic plot points. Unless audiences are familiar with the film’s inspiration, then they will be anxiously awaiting the outcome as passionately as are the actors in front of them. Coogan plays a shamed journalist who takes his first ever crack at a human-interest story. Like the real-life reporter, the film draws on human interest, genuinely getting the audience invested not only in the search but also in the people who are searching.

Coogan’s acting is worthy of mention as well. Not only did he co-write the screenplay, but the onscreen relationship between Philomena and Martin (Coogan) is full of such delightful nuances that their developing friendship becomes the most enjoyable part of the film. Constantly evolving and faced with emotional realities that few people come to encounter, both experience transformations that, individually and together, are profound. The end of the film pushes both to their emotional limits, and it is their reactions and shared understandings that allow the audience to walk away feeling as moved as the characters.

When a film centers on a story as dramatic as this one, humor is key. Perhaps there is no better humor to lighten the mood than that of quirky British actors. Never reliant of shtick or knock-knocks, the comedy is organic, stemming from the complicated personalities of the characters and their ways of speaking and communication. Without making audiences cringe like a Ben Stiller movie would, the characters’ discomfort endears them, and while audiences laugh, the joke (if it can even be called that) never comes at the expense of the story.