Philomena (2013)

Release date: 2013-11-27
Country: UK|USA|France
Language: English
Director: Stephen Frears
Production Co: The Weinstein Company, Yucaipa Films, Pathé
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Biography
Rating: 7.6/10
Length: 1h 38min

Storyline

When former journalist Martin Sixsmith is dismissed from the Labour Party in disgrace, he is at a loss as to what do. That changes when a young Irish woman approaches him about a story of her mother, Philomena, who had her son taken away when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin arranges a magazine assignment about her search for him that eventually leads to America. Along the way, Martin and Philomena discover as much about each other as about her son's fate. Furthermore, both find their basic beliefs challenged.

Plot Keywords

catholic, convent, catholic church, gay son, gay relationship, gay love, based on true story, faith, illegitimate son, confessional, 1950s, priest, washington d.c., laundry, boyfriend boyfriend relationship, food, clitoris, atheist, male male kiss, journalist

Short Review

What at first seems formulaic comedy gains a deeper resonance as we see how they represent two responses to cruelty and injustice -- first outrage, and with time, eventually, forgiveness.