SummaryA 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.
Directed By:Stephen Frears
Written By:Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope, Martin Sixsmith
Philomena
Metascore
Generally Favorable
77
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
77
90% Positive
38 Reviews
38 Reviews
7% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
2% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Nov 19, 2013
100
It’s profoundly moving and thoroughly mind provoking, but despite the poignant subject matter, I promise you will not leave Philomena depressed. I’ve seen it twice and felt exhilarated, informed, enriched, absorbed and optimistic both times.
Sep 16, 2013
90
Getting full comic effect from its class-comedy abrasions, Philomena rises to poignancy and profundity as Dench reveals her control of a character stained by the loss of her child and troubled by her suspicion.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
83% Positive
200 Ratings
200 Ratings
14% Mixed
34 Ratings
34 Ratings
3% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Sep 14, 2014
10
Philomena is a brilliant movie! It could have been depressing, sad, tragic or heavy handed. Instead, it is filled with wry humor, vividly portrayed characters, and a story that exposes deep social problems with some compassion and a sense of optimism. Judi Dench and Steve Coogan gave wonderful performances, and even the minor characters were totally believable, complex human beings. If you missed seeing this, rent it!!
Apr 15, 2014
10
The movie was adapted from a book called 'The Lost Child of Philomena Lee' which was based on the true story of an Irish woman. The movie chronicles the story of Philomena's quest in search of her long lost son which travels all the way across the ocean to different countries. And again this incredible story ended in the hands **** director. The director Stephen Fears just put some magic spell on the story and it became a soulful movie with the fine support from his cast and crew. The movie was just like I wanted. From each level of the story, it surprised with the beautiful turning points. It was a single movie, but I felt I saw part by part, chapter after another with detailed information. 'Philomena' is phenomenal movie of the year. The depth of emotions can be felt through our heart, very touching story. An inspiring movie for other mothers who are still looking for their lost children. One should never lose his 'hope', it can be used as a powerful weapon to discover what had you lost. I had seen plenty of nature documentaries about a mother and love towards her kids. It might be a polar bear from Arctic or a penguin from Antarctic they all fight for their little ones and ready to give her own life when it matters. In this movie Philomena's (Judi Dench) child was taken away from her under some tough circumstances. She kept it secret in her sealed lip but never stopped to look for him. She waited for 50 year-long, finally with the help of a former BBC journalist, Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), she succeeds to follow the tracks. Whether the mother and son unite or not is the movie's end. As far I know the best ever performance by Steve Coogan. This movie definitely will boost his confidence for his future project and also will help his professional graph go upwards. Never doubted the James Bond lady (M), Judi Dench as Philomena. Her experience came to very useful to shape up this movie well. Never could have been this much exciting the movie without these two along with the director. Hope they all join hands together for another project in the near future. 9.5/10
Nov 19, 2013
88
Most credit goes to Coogan for the success of this odd coupling.
Nov 19, 2013
80
A trip to America bears its share of exasperated hotel-room humor, but watch both actors lean into characters seeking redemption; their clash is invigorating, with a mature payoff that has two minds meeting and getting further along. It’s a tonic to all the Oscar-season showboating: Call it Best Duo.
Nov 25, 2013
78
Philomena honors its namesake by valuing potent understatement over potential hysterics.
Nov 21, 2013
70
Dench is not the only reason to see this unapologetic crowd-pleaser, but she is the best one.
Nov 21, 2013
25
With Philomena, British producer-writer-star Steve Coogan and director Stephen Frears hit double blackjack, finding a true-life tale that would enable them to simultaneously attack Catholics and Republicans. There’s no other purpose to the movie, so if 90 minutes of organized hate brings you joy, go and buy your ticket now.
Apr 13, 2014
10
A film like Philomena comes along all too infrequently. That wonderful hybrid of quality drama, subtle, well-balanced acting and a sprinkling of welcome humor. Not to mention it all hung together around a meaningful and interesting subject matter. Based on the true story of Philomena Lee, an elderly Irish woman who became pregnant as a teenager and had her child taken away from her by the Catholic Church and sold for adoption it truly is not just a fine piece of work from a idiosyncratic director but an example to all about how to make dramatic cinema. Its also a a high watermark in terms of its tear jerkiness. very seldom do you see a sentimental film full of appropriate humor and a lack of tacked on manipulated mawkishness. Take note War Horse, Les Mis, The Impossible and company. I have never been a huge fan of Dench but here she gives the performance of a lifetime(wrinkles have never looked so engaging) backed up wonderfully by Coogan who is mildly eccentric and tempered but deeply moved all at the same time. My only concern would be the glaring convenience that pops up half way through but Frears keeps things so tightly wound that you feel completely tolerant of it straight away. The movie has received some rare bashings by some critics who argue its intentions regarding its take on the Catholic religion. I say what goes around comes around and this deserves to be seen by everyone with a keen interest in, well, human interest stories.
Apr 20, 2015
6
Beautiful little film with an obviously brilliant leading actress, although she does not shine as much in this role. The story is kind of good and warm. But I couldn´t get pass of some very old fashioned cliches and a few comments about the main character´s son. It was even a little bit insulting as in some bad stereotype of gay people. Apart from that it is quite emotional without over doing it. A nice film.
Jan 22, 2015
6
Feels terribly oscar-bait-y. But it has 2 strong attributes. The singular blend of humour and melancholy in Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope's screenplay keeps Philomena entertaining heartfelt all the way, even when it goes over the rails from time to time. And Judi Dench, remarkable as always, carries the film to the finish line on her shoulders with room for more.
Dec 8, 2013
6
While I found the story interesting, I found the persistent focus on comedic patter to be annoying. I'm all for lightening a serious subject from time to time, but the lead male actor plays his role as if he's on Monty Python, with so much self reflective irony that his character ends up buffoonish. Dench is also given a character to play that the real Philomena has criticized for making her look like a "silly billy." She seems concrete and dense and rather vacuous. This story deserves better.
Dec 7, 2014
2
Could have been a cute movie if not for the out of context political jabs. I watch movies for entertainment. If want political statements I can always watch cable news. Sorry can't recommend this film for this reason. Very annoying!
Production Company:
- The Weinstein Company
- Yucaipa Films
- Pathé
- BBC Film
- British Film Institute (BFI)
- Canal+
- Ciné+
- Baby Cow Productions
- Magnolia Mae Films
- Philomena Lee
Release Date:Nov 22, 2013
Duration:1 h 38 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:These two unlikely companions are on a journey to find her long lost son.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 4 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Nominations
Venice Film Festival
• 9 Wins & 10 Nominations
