Forgiveness. It can mean so many things. When this movie came to the theaters in 2015 I put it on my short list. It came and went and since it didn’t apply to my rule of “go big or go home,” I didn’t see it. By the way, my rule has to do with the filming and content of the movie; some movies are so big in scope they must be seen on a large screen, i.e., Gone with the Wind or Superman.
Philomena is not in that category, however, it does fit into “brilliant.” Set in Ireland in the 1950s, this film spans 50 years. Philomena is seventeen and alone at her hometown carnival. She meets a handsome boy and as a young Irish Catholic girl is instantly smitten. She never sees him again but soon realizes she’s pregnant. Her mother had died when she was young and her embarrassed and horrified father takes her to the Abbey and drops her off never to return.
Judy Dench is, well Judy Dench. She is superb as the older Philomena Lee. Fifty years have passed and all she has of her precious Anthony is a small picture smuggled to her by one of the younger nuns. It’s Anthony’s fiftieth birthday and she is wondering, what happened to her son and did he ever think of her again? Not a day has gone by without her asking herself that question.
The unwed mothers worked in the Abbey doing laundry by hand, twelve hours a day, seven days a week. One precious hour a day they got to be with their children. Until…they were adopted by any rich American with 1000 pounds. Without a hint to these young mothers, one day their child would just be gone. The difference was, Philomena saw her little Anthony driven away looking out the rear window for his mother. An image forever imbedded in her heart.
Philomena is the story of her journey to find Anthony. She is only able to do this with the help of Martin Sixsmith, a semi-disgraced, former journalist with the BBC. Their journey ultimately finds them in Washington D.C. where Anthony, now very notable, Michael A. Hess, is found.
Judy Dench’s perfect complement is Steve Coogan who plays Martin Sixsmith. Originally just a business arrangement, their friendship develops into caring and honesty. I don’t want to spoil the true life plot but they end up interacting with the nuns, young and old. There are lots of twists and turns but Philomena Lee is finally reunited with her son.
Back to where I started. Philomena shouldered the responsibility for her actions her whole life. “I enjoyed the sex, he was so handsome and I was floating on air.” She learned to forgive. Her new friend, Martin Sixsmith was angry. Her response to that, “It must be exhausting.”
True forgiveness is not a feeling, it’s a decision. I am often in awe of how some people can forgive. I know it can’t be that easy. This is a truly wonderful story, beautifully portrayed by incredibly talented actors. Philomena is a “must see,” even on your home TV! As always, I love your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.
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