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IMDbPro

Philomena

  • 20132013
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
100K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,479
600
Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in 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.
Play trailer2:32
4 Videos
88 Photos
BiographyComedyDrama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
100K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,479
600
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Stephen Frears
    • Writers
      • Steve Coogan(screenplay)
      • Jeff Pope(screenplay)
      • Martin Sixsmith(book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee")
    • Stars
      • Judi Dench
      • Steve Coogan
      • Sophie Kennedy Clark
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Stephen Frears
    • Writers
      • Steve Coogan(screenplay)
      • Jeff Pope(screenplay)
      • Martin Sixsmith(book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee")
    • Stars
      • Judi Dench
      • Steve Coogan
      • Sophie Kennedy Clark
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 273User reviews
    • 355Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 33 wins & 86 nominations total

    Videos4

    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:32
    Trailer #1
    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    International Trailer
    Philomena
    Clip 1:08
    Philomena
    Exclusive Featurette
    Featurette 3:05
    Exclusive Featurette

    Photos88

    Judi Dench in Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
    Steve Coogan at an event for Philomena (2013)
    Steve Coogan at an event for Philomena (2013)
    Actors Steve Coogan, Judi Dench, Philomena Lee, actress Sophie Kennedy Clark and Martin Sixsmith attend the "Philomena" American Express Gala screening during the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 16, 2013 in London, England.
    Steve Coogan at an event for Philomena (2013)
    Judi Dench at an event for Philomena (2013)
    Steve Coogan at an event for Philomena (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Judi Dench
    Judi Dench
    • Philomena Lee
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Martin Sixsmith
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    • Young Philomena
    Mare Winningham
    Mare Winningham
    • Mary
    Barbara Jefford
    Barbara Jefford
    • Sister Hildegarde
    Ruth McCabe
    Ruth McCabe
    • Mother Barbara
    Peter Hermann
    Peter Hermann
    • Pete Olsson
    Sean Mahon
    Sean Mahon
    • Michael
    Anna Maxwell Martin
    Anna Maxwell Martin
    • Jane
    Michelle Fairley
    Michelle Fairley
    • Sally Mitchell
    Wunmi Mosaku
    Wunmi Mosaku
    • Young Nun
    Amy McAllister
    Amy McAllister
    • Sister Anunciata
    Charlie Murphy
    Charlie Murphy
    • Kathleen
    Cathy Belton
    Cathy Belton
    • Sister Claire
    Kate Fleetwood
    Kate Fleetwood
    • Young Sister Hildegarde
    Charissa Shearer
    • Peg
    Nika McGuigan
    Nika McGuigan
    • Bridie
    Rachel Wilcock
    • Mamie
    • Director
      • Stephen Frears
    • Writers
      • Steve Coogan(screenplay)
      • Jeff Pope(screenplay)
      • Martin Sixsmith(book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

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

      Martin Sixsmith: The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

      Philomena: That's lovely, Martin. Did you just think of that?

      Martin Sixsmith: No, it's T.S. Eliot

    • Crazy credits
      Real footage of Anthony/Michael is shown at the ending credits
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Venice Film Festival 2013 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Mother of God Here I Stand
      Composed by John Tavener and Mikhail Lermontov

      Published by Chester Music Ltd.

      By kind permission of Music Sales Creative

      Performed by The Tiffin Boys' Choir

      Choir Director: Simon Toyne

    User reviews273

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Is it anti-Catholic? Sure...but it isn't like they weren't given plenty of ammo to do so.
    The film is about Philomena, an Irish lady living in the UK (Judi Dench). When she was young, she had an unwed pregnancy and went to live at a Catholic program for young mothers. The goal was to get help but to keep her child. However, the good Sisters tricked her out of her son and she never saw him again. Now, decades later, she's looking to find him and enlists the help of a down and out journalist (Steve Coogan).

    The film features some terrific acting, a nicely written script, lovely mood music and will keep your interest from start to finish. It was nominated for various Oscars (including Best Picture).

    I know that some feel that "Philomena" is seen by some as anti- Catholic and I would certainly agree that it is, at least in part, anti-Catholic. BUT, considering what happened to the real life Philomena, how could it not be anti-Catholic?! After all, the woman was treated abominably by representatives of the church and her story is very, very sad. This doesn't mean ALL Catholics are bad-- but some of these folks certainly were pretty awful (even if the confrontation scene at the end never actually happened this way).
    helpful•26
    2
    • planktonrules
    • Jan 20, 2015

    FAQ1

    • Is 'Philomena' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 2013 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official site (France)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Lost Child of Philomena Lee
    • Filming locations
      • Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland
    • Production companies
      • The Weinstein Company
      • Yucaipa Films
      • Pathé
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $37,709,979
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $128,435
      • Nov 24, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $100,129,872
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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