Philomena

Philomena is a British 2013 drama movie presented on DVD. Philomena is the true story of one mother's search for her lost son. Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a “fallen woman”. When her baby was only a toddler, he was whisked away by the nuns to America for adoption. Philomena (Judi Dench) spent the next fifty years searching for him in vain. Then she met Martin Sixsmith, a world-weary journalist as cynical as Philomena was trusting. Together they set off for America on a journey that would not only reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena's son, but also the powerful bond that grew between Philomena and Martin.

 Based on Sixsmith's ac­claimed book “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee: A Mother, Her Son and a Fifty-Year Search”, the film is a bitter-sweet drama, a compelling narrative of human love and loss and ultimately a celebration of life. Judi Dench's phenomenal lead performance has “Oscar” written all over it. Awards Nominated Oscar Best Motion Picture of the Year (Academy Awards, USA 2014) Nominated Oscar Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Judi Dench (Academy Awards, USA 2014) Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama (Golden Globes, USA 2014) Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Judi Dench (Golden Globes, USA 2014) Nominated Best Screenplay – Motion Picture Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope (Golden Globes, USA 2014) Won Best Adapted Screenplay Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope (BAFTA Awards 2014) Nominated Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film (BAFTA Awards 2014) Nominated Best Film Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward (BAFTA Awards 2014) Nominated Best Leading Actress Judi Dench (BAFTA Awards 2014) Nominated for 32 other awards Won 18 other awards Philomena movie reviews “It’s profoundly moving and thoroughly mind provoking, but despite the poignant subject matter, I promise you will not leave Philomena depressed. I’ve seen it twice and felt exhilarated, informed, enriched, absorbed and optimistic both times.” New York Observer “Director Steven Frears deserves special mention. A lesser filmmaker could so easily have turned this project into mushy, sentimental junk. The tear-jerking moments here are heartfelt and real. It’s the kind of filmmaking we see too little of today.” Chicago Sun-Times “Its main focus is the sparky, shifting relationship between its two protagonists and its trump card the startling chemistry between its two main stars.” The Guardian “A trip to America bears its share of exasperated hotel-room humor, but watch both actors lean into characters seeking redemption; their clash is invigorating, with a mature payoff that has two minds meeting and getting further along. It’s a tonic to all the Oscar-season showboating: Call it Best Duo.” Time Out New York