Review: Philomena

Twentieth Century Fox/The Weinstein Company

Going into Philomena, I thought I knew what to expect. A movie starring Judi Dench about a little, old Irish woman looking for the son who was taken away from her at the age of 16 and hasn't seen since sounded like a very melodramatic, touching piece of filmmaking that my Mom would love. So, of course I decided to see it with my Mom instead of Out of the Furnace (a review of that to come shortly!) because it looked too intense/dark for her. Besides, Steve Coogan co-stars as the reluctant journalist, Martin Sixsmith, who decides to help Philomena (Dench) search for her son in order to rebuild his recently shattered career, and I find Coogan generally very funny, entertaining, and a decent actor to boot. So why not?

I guess I should have remembered that Stephen Frears directed this one too. He's a veteran when it comes to drama, and not unused to grit and grim either as evidenced by Dirty Pretty Things and Dangerous Liaisons. But he's also accustomed to effectively portraying grief and subtle bewilderment as seen in The Queen, and Frears brings all of his talents together to deliver a very unexpected, more complex story with Philomena. 

Twentieth Century Fox/Weinstein Company

It's hard to talk about the different strengths the film has to offer and avoid spoilers at the same time, but I will do my best to do so. Suffice it to say, Philomena has much more to offer than Dench's good acting and precious moments as a sweet, little old lady, and it begins with her dark past. The movie is based on the true story of Philomena who became pregnant at the age of 16 and was abandoned by her Father at a convent out of shame and forced into physical labor and eventually had to watch as her 2 year old son was adopted and taken away. This back story alone provides for some interesting inquiry into the effects of the past, religion, and destiny. The nuns at the convent insist part of Philomena's penance involved having to give up her child and promising never to try and find him again. It becomes clear that Philomena is partially convinced that she did deserve the pain and humiliation the pregnancy brought, along with the life at the convent and having to live life not knowing what happened to her son. She still tries to live as a practicing catholic and trusting that God knows what's right.

Enter: Martin (Coogan), an atheist, and general skeptic who questions Philomena's feelings in regards to God and religion as he often plays the devil's advocate to many things Philomena has to say. He even questions the sex itself that made Philomena pregnant, "why would God give us this drive and then demand that we refrain from it?" He also refers to much larger questions such as the apparent absurdity of praying for victims of earthquakes and floods when God was the one who made or allowed it to happen in the first place. Such questioning reveals Philomena's insecurity in what she did all those years ago and how desperate she is to find out if that one "sin" lead to a life of grief and pain for her son or one of joy and success. 

Twentieth Century Fox/Weinstein Company

At the same time, Philomena's ignorance as to what became of her son reflects a need to let go of trying to control. This doesn't mean she gives up on trying to find her son. Without giving anything away, it becomes clear at the end that Philomena's search and fretting over her son's fate and what she eventually finds about him suggests that her single act of bringing (even if it was semi-forced by the nuns) her son into this world began a series of events that was his life. She couldn't have guessed what her son would become, what he'd do, where he'd live, or who he would affect. It's the simple realization that there is nothing to be done about the past, and not a whole lot one can do about the future either. She used what time she could to be a loving and caring mother for her son, and it is a good reminder to us all that any time we have with anyone may just be a few years, months, or days and to use it wisely.

Which leads Philomena to a place of forgiveness and acceptance. From what she discovers, most would think her right to be angry and sink into depression, but she doesn't. It makes for an unexpectedly sad viewing experience over all, but it is valuable in what it has to offer in regards to these themes. The interaction between Coogan and Philomena does have some quite funny moments and the two have great chemistry together. Thankfully, the film steers clear of any overly melodramatic moments making for interesting viewing that provides ample food for thought on top of the entertainment value.