I have to confess that the idea of going to see ‘Philomena’, a film based upon the true story of an Irish woman coming to America in search of her son who was taken from her 50 years ago, seemed like kind of a downer way to spend the afternoon. I actually dragged myself to the theatre as I felt I was obligated to see it as I try to view all the Oscar picks before my predictions. To my infinitely pleasant surprise, I was taken off guard completely by this incredibly powerful and beautiful movie that is perhaps Judi Dench’s finest work and earns her another Oscar nomination. They say life is a journey and not a destination and this is was what was going through my mind as I was pulled in by this film. It’s not so much about her finding her long lost son, rather the journey and her spiritual awakening as she journeys to resolve her past. Far from being depressing, it is an uplifting film of the human spirit and discovery. Even though I have seen this billed as a ‘comedy’ in some places (and indeed there are many humorous moments) it is probably the last category I would force this into.
The set up seems like it will be depressing. Martin Sixsmith (played straight laced by the usually zany Steve Coogan) is a disgraced BBC political reporter who stumbles across the story of Philomena (Judi Dench). She is an Irish woman, who as she reaches the later stages of her life, is haunted by the memory of the baby she was forced to give up at a convent 50 years prior. She has suffered all her life wondering what ever happened to her baby boy and does not want to go to her grave without knowing. Sixsmith is reluctantly drawn into her story and agrees to help Philomena in exchange for book rights to her story. What starts off as a tedious assignment for Sixsmith, soon arouses his reporter’s instincts as they hit roadblock after roadblock when trying to find out about Philomen’s long lost son.
With effective use of flashbacks, the brutal life of single mothers confined to convents in early 20th century Ireland is painfully illustrated. A brutal life of literal slavery and abuse, that to this day, Philomena saw nothing out of the ordinary. It was just how she was brought up and what she knew. I marveled that as late as the twentieth century, this type of servitude could still be going on and unresolved to this day. It challenges one’s faith in an already beleaguered Catholic church, but as we realize they are as much a victim of circumstance as anyone.
Despite the roadblocks put up by the hyper secretive convent, Sixsmith compiles enough clues to find out that her son was adopted by Americans and taken to Maryland. The simple Irish Philomena, who had never left her homeland in her life, journeys with Sixsmith to Washington D.C. to find if her son is still alive. The infinite possibilities of what could have happened to her son constantly flood her thoughts. Is he homeless? Did he die in Vietnam? Could he be President? Is it possible that he is obese (“Have you seen the size of the meal portions here”)? I won’t go into details about what she finds as that is not as important as her journey within herself. As she searches for her son, she comes to realize the wrongs of her past. Both the wrongs done to her and the wrongs of her actions. She just didn’t realize at the time how inhumane these things were. It is only through this journey and a more distant perspective of her past that she comes to realize that her life was not as it should have been and that she played a role in that as well.
Despite all these hardships, Philomena has traveled through life with a sweet good nature. This is in stark contrast to Sixsmith’s cynical perspective of life despite being a man of privilege and wealth. Sixsmith, who starts out barely tolerating Philomena as a pleasant simpleton, comes to respect Philomena and her life’s journey. Being more ‘sophisticated’ and educated, Sixsmith is often more outraged by the injustices bestowed upon Philomena than Philomena herself. He is profoundly moved at the strength of moral character Philomena demonstrates under circumstances that would break most people. He marvels at how she can be a woman completely without anger or bitterness towards a life and church that has so wronged her.
I am very glad I saw this film and while I don’t think it will win the Oscar for best picture, Judi Dench has a strong shot at Best Actress. Fantastic performances by both Dench and Coogan. High marks for a film I’m glad I forced myself to go see.
I give this film *** 1/2 stars
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