We were caught up in the film almost from the start, finding it sad yet with some superb one-liners and comic moments to lighten the serious nature of the film. It was very powerful, demonstrating the cruelty that apparently wasn’t uncommon towards unmarried mothers in the 1960s, and also the power of forgiveness.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2018/09/philomena-starring-judi-dench.html ( )

Phoenix Falmouth

A cynical journalist helps a woman find her long lost son.

Not at all bad for what it is. Harmlessly pleasant, with a great performance to make it worthwhile.

Concept: D
Story: C
Characters: B
Dialog: A
Pacing: C
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: A
Music: C

Enjoyment: B

GPA: 2.5/4 ( )

I like to have an e-audio book on my iPad to listen to on the bus to and from work. Since I also tend to have a book by my bedside and another to read when I'm out and about waiting in queues etc. I try to have different types of books so that there is no chance of muddling what is happening in each. So I may have a Crime Thriller, and children's book and a non-fiction for example.
I've always liked biographies and autobiographies, and since there is a fair choice of these available for download, I've tended to pick them for my listening.
A lot of customers at the library, including book groups, have been asking for both the book and the dvd of Philomena, so I thought I'd check it out.
It wasn't quite what I'd expected from the movie trailers, but it was still a gripping, moving and well told story. I'm glad I read it. ( )