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 & 76 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judi Dench	...	Philomena
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 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, 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:

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

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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 | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Filomena

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,509,726 (United Kingdom), 3 November 2013, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$128,435, 22 November 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$37,707,719, 16 May 2014

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$100,112,825, 5 May 2014

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only film that year to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but not at the Producers Guild of America Awards, or the Critics Choice Movie Awards.

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Goofs

When Martin enters the car at the monastery he has a messenger bag on his shoulder, but inside the car the bag isn't there.

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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 Saturday Night Live: Jonah Hill/Bastille (2014)

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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 Reviews

But I don't wanna hate people. I don't wanna be like you

The abuses of the Church through the Magdalene Sisters is in the background of this exciting film that features Judy Dench as a mother searching for the son that was taken from here 50 years previously.

She is paired with Steve Coogan, a sacked journalist after a human interest story. They made a strange pair as they journeyed to America to find her son.

Prejudice and misunderstandings prevented the two from being reunited, but the story was fascinating and surprising.

I even enjoyed seeing Anna Maxwell Martin from Bletchley Circle. What a thrill.