Vera Drake (2004)

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh (written by)

Release Date:

22 October 2004 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Wife. Mother. Criminal.

Plot:

Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain--a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.

Plot Keywords:

1950s | Miscarriage | Neighbor | Pregnancy | Abortionist

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 33 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Imelda Staunton	...	Vera
Richard Graham	...	George
Eddie Marsan	...	Reg
Anna Keaveney	...	Nellie
Alex Kelly	...	Ethel
Daniel Mays	...	Sid
Philip Davis	...	Stan (as Phil Davis)
Lesley Manville	...	Mrs. Wells
Sally Hawkins	...	Susan
Simon Chandler	...	Mr. Wells
Sam Troughton	...	David
Marion Bailey	...	Mrs. Fowler
Sandra Voe	...	Vera's Mother
Chris O'Dowd	...	Sid's Customer
Adrian Scarborough	...	Frank

Also Known As:

Untitled Mike Leigh Project (UK) (working title)
Vera Drake (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for depiction of strong thematic material.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

UK | France | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | UK:12A (original rating) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Czech Republic:15 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Cressy House, Hannibal Rd., Stepney Green, London, England, UK

Company:

Les Films Alain Sarde

Trivia:

Mike Leigh asked the actors to hum in the movie. Because they couldn't afford to buy rights to songs, the actors had to hum something generic.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Vera's sister-in-law Joyce says she wants a washing machine which costs "twenty five pounds". Until decimalization in 1971, most luxury goods (such as washing machines and men's suits) were priced in guineas not pounds. Interestingly, in the film the cost of the abortion is expressed as two guineas. (One guinea = one pound one shilling, equivalent to one pound five pence in decimal.) This was true for some outlets, particularly those wishing to appeal to the middle class or those aspiring to a degree of 'poshness'. Throughout the 1960s most domestic items were priced in £.s.d or Pounds, shillings and pence. Services and professions continued to charge in guineas as an affectation until much later.

Quotes:

Vera: I know why you're here.
Det. Inspector Webster: I beg your pardon?
Vera: I know why you're here.
[pause]
Det. Inspector Webster: Why are we here?
Vera: Because of what I do.
Det. Inspector Webster: Because of what you do?
Vera: Yes.
Det. Inspector Webster: What is it that you do, Mrs Drake?
[long pause]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Frisky Dingo: Wendell Goes Undercover Again (#2.10)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Calling All Workers

A Mature director in command.

I have been a longtime fan of Mike Leigh, always fascinated to see his slice of life take on England. Because of his well known creative process, the intrigue would be to see the actors and the characters and dramas (and comedies) they created. They were always worth watching in a voyeuristic way due to Leigh's unobtrusive camera work.

Vera Drake is well worth seeing for these same reasons, but Leigh has made a bigger and better movie than ever before, even with all of Topsy Turvy's bombast. His ambitions as director are greater than ever. First of all, to take on the subject of abortion is very brave. But I'll leave that for others to discuss. What was of interest to me from the opening shot was that this was going to be a visual tour de force, and it was.

Painting the scenes in dark, crushing browns and greens, with tight camera angles or letting the light in, each scene had the feel of a well thought out canvas, even the cut aways between scenes were new, inventive and beautiful.

And the acting is great and the scenes of the family interacting in close quarters, moving in synch are so pitch perfect you feel they have been doing this for decades.

So if you're thinking of seeing this movie, sit back, relax, and prepare to be taken on a slow, masterful ride.