Philomena (2013)

A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Steve Coogan (screenplay), Jeff Pope (screenplay)

Stars:

Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 33 wins & 81 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judi Dench	...	Philomena Lee
Steve Coogan	...	Martin Sixsmith
Sophie Kennedy Clark	...	Young Philomena
Mare Winningham	...	Mary
Barbara Jefford	...	Sister Hildegarde
Ruth McCabe	...	Mother Barbara
Peter Hermann	...	Pete Olsson
Sean Mahon	...	Michael
Anna Maxwell Martin	...	Jane
Michelle Fairley	...	Sally Mitchell
Wunmi Mosaku	...	Young Nun
Amy McAllister	...	Sister Anunciata
Charlie Murphy	...	Kathleen
Cathy Belton	...	Sister Claire
Kate Fleetwood	...	Young Sister Hildegarde

Storyline

When former journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) is dismissed from the Labour Party in disgrace, he is at a loss as to what do. That changes when a young Irish woman approaches him about a story of her mother, Philomena Lee (Dame Judi Dench), who had her son taken away when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin arranges a magazine assignment about her search for him that eventually leads to America. Along the way, Martin and Philomena discover as much about each other as about her son's fate. Furthermore, both find their basic beliefs challenged.

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Plot Keywords:

convent | catholic church | human interest story | illegitimate son | irish adoption board | 

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Taglines:

These two unlikely companions are on a journey to find her long lost son.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for some strong language, thematic elements and sexual references

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are flashbacks, done with "home movies". Some were created for this movie, and some are footage of Philomena's actual son.

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Goofs

When the phone rings in Martin's Washington, D.C. hotel room, the ringtone is typical UK, not US: two short rings, which repeat. "Filming Locations" indicate that interior hotel scenes were filmed at the London Marriott Hotel. The sound editor should have changed ringtone.

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Quotes

Philomena: I forgive you because I don't want to remain angry.

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Crazy Credits

Real footage of Anthony/Michael is shown at the ending credits

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Dame Judi Dench/Dustin Hoffman/Jennifer Aniston/Jason Bateman/Olly Murs (2014)

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Soundtracks

Nocturne In F-Sharp, Op. 15, No. 2
(uncredited)
Composed by Frédéric Chopin

User Reviews

Brilliantly delivered story by supreme actors

My wife talked me into going, I wanted to see Captain Philips but she was adamant this time. We both grew up in Ireland and I didn't want to see another one of those movies focused on stereotypes, the marketing blob types like the Quiet Man and Ryan's Daughter...stereotypical nonsense that lampoon our history and our culture. Steve Coogan and Judy Dench, especially Judy got it just right from the very start. They were smart, witty, serious and most of all, Judy was 'Irish' They really got the spirit of an Irish mom, that cocktail of guilt, generosity, inferiority and a heart to care for the entire world spot on. Dench in the hotel thanking everybody for being 'so nice' and getting who her son was as a child as others were today trying to 'break the news' to her...she wasn't just a step ahead, she was years ahead. Really excellent, really well done. Beautiful!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Philomena

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$128,435, 24 November 2013

Gross USA:

$37,709,979

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$100,129,872

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Weinstein Company, Yucaipa Films, Pathé

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1