Another one of the many film to come out of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews is Stephen Frears’ (The Queen, High Fidelity) Philomena. In Philomena, “a world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman’s search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.”
Judi Dench stars as the titular Philomena Lee searching for long lost son Martin Sixsmith, played by Steve Coogan (who also helped write the story). Lots has been said about Dench’s performance, making it an almost guaranteed Oscar lock and putting her in strong contention with current frontrunner Cate Blanchett. While the film itself isn’t too likely to grab any of the big Oscar categories, it has a chance in the screenplay department and Dench is all but a guarantee.
Take a look and see if this small British drama is the one for you.
Philomena is directed by Stephen Frier and stars Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Michelle Fairley, Mare Winningham, Simone Lahbib, and Charles Edwards. It hits theaters in limited release on January 10, 2014.
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By: Matt Oakes
Started blogging about film in college when the university paper wouldn’t have him. Dislikes your consensus film Twitter favorites. Devotee of horror movies that make him die a little inside. Catches films at festivals when he can. Proud SFCS and OFCS member and Tomatometer-approved critic. Editor-in-chief of Silver Screen Riot.
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