So cute in Philomena!
http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/philomena-2013/
I sat in my seat preparing to see Philomena when I looked around at the other attendees to the screening. I soon realized I was the youngest member of the audience, but if being a senior citizen is what it takes to have enjoyed Judi Dench's buzzed about film, then label me for having a receding hairline.
Director, Stephen Frears, is the biggest liability to his film, the acting and screenplay compensate for his misdirecting. He makes Philomena feel smaller than what the talent around him deserve. The gloomy cinematography doesn't help his cause, but the film wasn't going to sink just because the director hit a few missteps.
I assumed by the trailers and word-of-mouth that the film would be as light as a feather. Yes, it has Dench's warm one-liners and the sardonic comments from Coogan, but it's more challenging than the surface of that specific dialogue. Frears hits us over the head with traumatic moments to yank sentiment from our hearts. This is a compliment and an insult.
The film's leads build the acting as the strongest aspect of Philomena. Dame Judi Dench stars as the title character, a naively cute performance that balances on adorable old-school line readings and spiraling drama. It's a lovely portrayal that deserves the award-loving Dench usually acquires. Steve Coogan is saturated in sarcasm in his gem of another performance.
Philomena unyieldingly criticizes the Catholic church. They take our society's point of view and contrast it with traditional beliefs. Sure, Philomena won't change the minds of dead-certain Catholics, but it could spread light to open-minded individuals. Philomena, herself, abandons those beliefs. The moral of Philomena's actions: you can still act as a good person without clinging to Catholic judgements.
I love the journey Philomena offers and the truth it reveals. The well structured script offers a nice turn of events and solidifies the film as well-rounded. Though it questions the facts of religion, the spirit of mother and child is stashed in Philomena's aura. Mary and Jesus. Philomena and Anthony. Philomena and Martin. Compact and sweet, Philomena should definitely be seen for the real-life story that could strike your curiosity.
Rating: 7
Grade: B
Feel the Films: A Blog by RCS - http://feelthefilms.wordpress.com/