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IMDbPro

Philomena

  • 20132013
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
100K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,874
3,523
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
  • Biography
  • Comedy
  • Drama
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
1,874
3,523
  • 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
    • 272User reviews
    • 355Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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 Leeas Philomena Lee
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Martin Sixsmithas Martin Sixsmith
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    Sophie Kennedy Clark
    • Young Philomenaas Young Philomena
    Mare Winningham
    Mare Winningham
    • Maryas Mary
    Barbara Jefford
    Barbara Jefford
    • Sister Hildegardeas Sister Hildegarde
    Ruth McCabe
    Ruth McCabe
    • Mother Barbaraas Mother Barbara
    Peter Hermann
    Peter Hermann
    • Pete Olssonas Pete Olsson
    Sean Mahon
    Sean Mahon
    • Michaelas Michael
    Anna Maxwell Martin
    Anna Maxwell Martin
    • Janeas Jane
    Michelle Fairley
    Michelle Fairley
    • Sally Mitchellas Sally Mitchell
    Wunmi Mosaku
    Wunmi Mosaku
    • Young Nunas Young Nun
    Amy McAllister
    Amy McAllister
    • Sister Anunciataas Sister Anunciata
    Charlie Murphy
    Charlie Murphy
    • Kathleenas Kathleen
    Cathy Belton
    Cathy Belton
    • Sister Claireas Sister Claire
    Kate Fleetwood
    Kate Fleetwood
    • Young Sister Hildegardeas Young Sister Hildegarde
    Charissa Shearer
    • Pegas Peg
    Nika McGuigan
    Nika McGuigan
    • Bridieas Bridie
    Rachel Wilcock
    • Mamieas Mamie
    • Director
      • Stephen Frears
    • Writers
      • Steve Coogan(screenplay)
      • Jeff Pope(screenplay)
      • Martin Sixsmith(book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details 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 reviews272

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    An incredible and heartfelt story
    Steve Coogan has said that Philomena is his reaction against cynicism - his attempt to make an honest and fundamentally sincere film. The biggest compliment that can be paid to him is that, in these goals, he has succeeded.

    It tells the story of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench, who is as brilliant as ever), an elderly Irish woman whose child was taken away from her 50 years ago by an austere Catholic convent. Martin Sixsmith (Coogan) is the cynical, know-it-all journalist turned government spin doctor, recently sacked, who is on the look out for a story. After a chance encounter at a party, Sixsmith reluctantly takes up the 'human interest' story of Philomena's search for her son, Anthony.

    The key to Philomena is the relationship between the titular character and Sixsmith. And it works. It really works, in fact. His cynicism, bordering on arrogance, is matched perfectly by her simple and completely sincere belief in common human decency. It could easily have been overly sentimental, but Judi Dench in particular does a remarkable job of keeping it grounded.

    There's some very dark stuff here, and it's a testament to the script that the film does not become overwhelmed by it. The Magdalene laundries were awful places, yet this story is not about revenge. I was almost cheering when, at the end, Sixsmith gives one particularly odious nun a piece of his mind. But moments later Philomena accosts him and gives me a slap on the wrist. She does not want revenge or angry confrontation. She just wants the truth. It's a remarkable act of forgiveness, and one that, like Sixsmith, I could not agree with. But then, I'm just another cynical and bitter atheist. I have to say, this film made me angry at myself for being one. And yet it also made me pleased I wasn't a Catholic. Go figure.

    Philomena is an incredible and heartfelt story. It's desperately sad, yet never overly sentimental. There's some genuinely funny moments, mainly emanating from the contrast between the wide-eyed and refreshing simplicity of Philomena's world view and the weary wryness of Sixsmith. If you get a chance, see it.
    helpful•19
    1
    • phillewis91
    • Nov 16, 2013

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    Photos

    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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    Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in Philomena (2013)
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