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Vera Drake (2004)

 -  Crime | Drama  -  7 January 2005 (UK)
7.7
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Ratings: 7.7/10 from 15,909 users   Metascore: 83/100
Reviews: 155 user | 167 critic | 40 from Metacritic.com

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

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Title: Vera Drake (2004)

Vera Drake (2004) on IMDb 7.7/10

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 36 wins & 28 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Richard Graham ...
George
...
Reg
Anna Keaveney ...
Nellie
Alex Kelly ...
Ethel
...
Sid
...
Stan (as Phil Davis)
...
Mrs. Wells
...
Susan
...
Mr. Wells
...
Marion Bailey ...
Mrs. Fowler
Sandra Voe ...
Vera's Mother
...
Sid's Customer
...
Frank
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Storyline

Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel. Written by Sujit R. Varma

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Wife. Mother. Criminal.

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for depiction of strong thematic material | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

7 January 2005 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

El secreto de Vera Drake  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£266,010 (UK) (7 January 2005)

Gross:

$3,753,806 (USA) (25 March 2005)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film process took about a year; the actors all met individually with Mike Leigh, discussing their characters' lives (from birth up until the moment the film starts), and began to rehearse together when their characters met one another. See more »

Goofs

In the dancing scene with Sid and his friends, the music played features blaring trumpets. However, at the same time it shows the band and the only ones playing are the saxophone and trombone players. The trumpet player is just tapping his toes here. Also, the music would have to be played by a large band, not a group of a couple musicians due to the harmonies heard. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Vera: Hello George, only me. How are you going today?
See more »

Crazy Credits

After the end credits it says: "In loving memory of my parents, a doctor and a midwife." See more »


Soundtracks

"Salut D'Amour (Liebesgruss), Op.12"
(1888)
Written by Edward Elgar
By permission of Schott & Co Limited, London
Performed by Rosemary Warren-Green (violin) and Ian Brown (piano)
See more »

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User Reviews

 
It's not entertainment but...
18 November 2004 | by (Los Angeles) – See all my reviews

It's not entertainment but...this is an extraordinary piece of work.

I went to see Alexander on a Wednesday night and Vera Drake the night after and what a contrast! A story that means something, characters that feel rough and real in your hands like worn stones in an old pathway, and above all film making with a purpose with no effort to dazzle just inform.

It's not perfect, but this is the kind of imperfection all of us in Hollywood should strive for.

A word about the art direction too. I remember the 50's in England and yes it was just like that - I remember my parents kitchen being that dismal and green, and yes English people and English families can be that incommunicative, and yes they sat in front of the fire and talked about the war and the Blitz and yes we would sit in the parlour on Christmas day and eat off a table just like that.

There. I've shared secrets with you. Now go and see this and keep crap like Alexander off the screens.


157 of 177 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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