Philomena

— In many ways, “Philomena” is a smaller film than its current theatrical competition, but its clever script, expert direction, and Judi Dench’s tour de force performance leave it more than able to compete. True, the target demographic, based on the audience when I saw the film, appears to be over-60ish white women, it is still a film worth seeing. For those who were raised Catholic, we’re reminded of the role Catholic guilt and forgiveness played in our lives and the ambiguous nature of sin, particularly as it was served up sixty years ago. Mostly, I suppose, the film has more to say about nothing being black and white, and about forgiveness and acceptance over time. Thanks Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, and Stephen Frears.

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[2013. 98 min. Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/philomena-movie-review-judi-dench-shines-in-this-alternately-funny-wrenching-drama/2013/11/26/6a11f5f4-56db-11e3-835d-e7173847c7cc_story.html