Philomena (12A)

This is a strange movie of a true story about a serious topic, yet having great comedy, that no comic script-writer would really be able to create, unless it was based on fact.

However Steve Coogan’s hand was in the script, which makes sense.  He also produced, and is the male lead in a role, which while is not Oscar material, certainly brings him far away from his Alan Partridge creation.  He put up a good show as the former political journalist down on his luck, who by chance happens upon the story of Philomena, an Irish woman searching for the son who was long ago taken from her by nuns.

Philomena, played by Judi Dench had her son taken away from her in the mid-1950s, after she got pregnant outside wedlock, and went to live and work around a convent laundry.  Philomena, like Coogan’s character, Martin Sixsmith is quite a quirky character, and almost a literary creation.  However this movie is about real people, with real and tragic stories to tell.  

The movie begins in Philomena’s old age in the UK, and she and Sixsmith take the quest for Philomena’s son, from the convent in Roscrea, Ireland to Washington DC.

It is an enjoyable journey to follow the duo on, despite the sadness and pain they encounter along the way. 

Interestingly a photo of 1940’s Hollywood star, Jane Russell is shown on the wall of the convent office.  Eventually it is revealed why this is so, which only adds to the scenario that was going on in the convent in the 1950s.

The production of ‘Philomena’ is superb, with real-life footage of home movies from the real people involved.  It’s a cliché to say Judi Dench is one of the best actresses around, and they were lucky that she accepted the script.  It is her first movie since she was last featured in the James Bond franchise almost a year ago.

There are not many supporting actors, and Dench and Coogan run the show throughout, and never disappoint.  However a powerful later scene with actress, Barbara Jefford is one worth waiting for.  It is also obvious that Dench will take the BAFTA for ‘Philomena’, and a few more awards with it.

The true story of Philomena is a horrendous indictment of the abuse the poor women suffered in the convents.  The movie is more powerful than 2002’s ‘Magdelen Laundries’ because of all the information that has since come to light, and this is also a real woman’s story, and not a tale about an imaginary person. 

Let’s hope those seeking family connections and answers find their searches come to a positive end soon.

David Flynn

Gravity 3D (12A)

A unique movie, even by today’s standards, where you have a sci-fi action two-hander, done with two of the biggest names in the movie industry. 

The unusual movie has to be viewed in 3D, because it is the very best of its 3D kind.   The movie manages to moonwalk the audience up around the various space stations, and keep them there. 

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock were much bigger stars ten years ago than now, but they were excellent choices for the roles, particularly Bullock, who rarely disappoints.

Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a medical engineer on a shuttle mission in deep space, along with astronaut, Matt Kowalski, played by George Clooney.  Clooney’s character is a retiring, but upbeat astronaut, while Ryan has some personal demons, and uses her job to struggle through them.  Their space mission seems normal, until debris starts flying, and they lose control of their positioning.  The duo are forced to help each other, when they end up alone floating in space, with few resources and with no contact with Earth.

It would seem at first that this is Clooney’s movie, because of his authoritive characteristics, but a turn of events occur, and Ryan is left attempting to preserve life. 

 

The movie is a work of genius by director, Alfonso Cuaron, who also wrote the original screenplay.  It couldn’t have been easy to direct actors at zero gravity, while they float on a black background.  However the movie appears totally realistic, obviously helped by its great 3D effects.

The storyline is interesting, particularly where it deals with Ryan’s back story, and resigned view of life.  The movie is also not without its messages.

David Flynn