I’ve got a confession to make: I haven’t been to the cinema since I was pregnant – that’s over two years ago! Before Boo I loved going to the cinema as for me it felt like the ultimate time out, no phones, no conversation, no distraction the perfect me time.
I was invited to a press screening of Philomena earlier this week to see what I thought. Philomena is based on a true story adapted from The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, the fallen from grace ex spin doctor and journalist once again who is not completely thrilled to be working on an human interest piece to get his creative juices flowing.
Philomena Lee who became pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in the early 1950s and was sent to Roscrea Convent where the nuns brutally delivered her baby and enslaved Philomena for four years to ‘pay back her debt’. She saw her son, Anthony for one hour a day until he was sold, against Philomena’s wishes as part of an adoption deal to an American family.
Directed by Stephen Frears and produced by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope we meet Philomena (Dame Judi Dench) as she embarks on this painful and emotional journey with Sixsmith (Steve Coogan). From the first sight of Philomena in the church you see the dignified sadness in her eyes so well-played by Dench; throughout the film there are moments of sadness (I lost count of how many times I cried), but there are also real glints of genuine, humour and happiness (who knew that Big Moma’s House had more appeal that visiting the Lincoln monument – according to Philomena it was a no brainer!)
The film brings together two complete opposites: Martin is an Oxbridge graduate, non believing cultured middle class, middle-aged man and Philomena is a traditional and staunch Irish Catholic (despite her horrific ordeal). Yet just like cheese and honey they are perfect together.
As a Catholic mother I felt pain and so much shame thinking that such horrific acts could come from those who are there to help and serve within the Catholic community.
There isn’t a traditional happy ending but I don’t think that’s what the viewer is there for, closure is probably the best outcome anybody could wish for Philomena Lee and that together with Martin Sixsmith is what she finds.
Frears has done an amazing job as I felt no pity for Philomena only love and admiration on how dignified and determined she remained for over 50 years proving a mother’s love knows no limits and will conqueror all.
Philomena is in cinemas nationwide today.
