Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain--a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.
Director:
Mike LeighWriter:
Mike Leigh
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Title: Vera Drake (2004)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Imelda Staunton | ... | Vera | |
| Richard Graham | ... | George | |
| Eddie Marsan | ... | Reg | |
 |
Anna Keaveney | ... | Nellie |
|
|
Alex Kelly | ... | Ethel |
| Daniel Mays | ... | Sid | |
| Phil Davis | ... | Stan | |
| 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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (143) »
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 Keywords:
pregnancy | unwanted pregnancy | abortionist | female protagonist | panties |Taglines:
Wife. Mother. Criminal.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for depiction of strong thematic material | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 February 2005 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El secreto de Vera Drake See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£266,010 (United Kingdom), 9 January 2005, Limited ReleaseOpening Weekend USA:
$13,207, 10 October 2004, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$3,753,806, 27 March 2005Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(1940)
Written by Eric Coates
(p) 1940 Chappell Recorded Music Library
(c) 1940 Chappell Recorded Music Library
A BMG Zomba Company
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Despite Mike Leigh's reputation, the film's budget was so tight that they ran out of money close to the end of shooting. Leigh and the cast rehearsed for another week before shooting restarted. See more »Goofs
The young girl tells the psychiatrist that her father works for the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence was created in a 1968 merger of the War Office, Air Ministry, and Admiralty. See more »Crazy Credits
After the end credits it says: "In loving memory of my parents, a doctor and a midwife." See more »Soundtracks
Calling All Workers(1940)
Written by Eric Coates
(p) 1940 Chappell Recorded Music Library
(c) 1940 Chappell Recorded Music Library
A BMG Zomba Company
See more »
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Imelda Staunton is superb and is my bet for the Oscar unless some Hollywood Diva does another "out of character" performance. But she only shines because of the company she keeps.This is ensemble acting at it's finest. No melodramatics, no attempt to steal scenes,and the result is as honest as life itself. This is the way the British talked, almost always indirectly, hedging around issues rather than hitting them head on, and a slave to mannered behavior. Understate, understate, understate.
Having lived in England from 1952 to 1959, and having married someone who was British who grew up during the war and it's aftermath this movie was like "a bit of old home." My mother employed "char ladies" like Vera, although we were "upper middle class" rather than "upper." The class differences were quite distinct in those days, and often determined by accent. What this movie shows is not only the average life of a "lower class" family but the options forced on them that were different from those in the higher brackets of society.
As anyone should know by know the movie is about illegal abortion in a rigid
puritanical society. Illegal, that is, for those without means, but quite available to those who could grease the wheels of the medical establishment who had "legal" ways around the law. In other words if Roe v. Wade goes then Vera's will pop up again.
There is no attempt to make a statement for or against abortion. As Mike Leigh has said: abortion has been in every society for thousands of years. The Vera Drake's who have lived could populate a small city. What this movie does do is emphasize that the Vera's were/are common average people not quasi criminals lurking behind the curtains of some seedy back alley shack, and that legislating morality never addresses the often harsh reality of human society.