Plot: What’s it about?
I’ll be the first to admit that when “awards season” comes around, I’m both giddy with anticipation and yet there’s something that holds me back as well. Sure, there are the blockbusters that we know will be nominated for countless awards (some deserved and others not so much), but it’s those little diamonds in the rough that I like. Having seen the blockbusters in the past few months like The Wolf of Wall Street and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, it was a refreshing change of pace to see others like Dallas Buyer’s Club. With the Academy expanding their Best Picture selection to 9, it does showcase a more varied selection of films. I made it my mission to try and see all of the nominated films this past year, but fell short by two. Those two? Her and Philomena. While I admire the work of Judi Dench, I feel that every year the British make a movie that somehow gets nominated for Best Picture. That’s not as short-sighted as it sounds, by the way. But with Philomena finally in my possession in Blu-ray form, I’m literally one step closer to accomplishing my goal.
Recently sacked (fired) journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) is trying to put his life back together. He’d been fired for an email that he didn’t send and his life really hasn’t been the same. A former political correspondent, he’s considering writing a novel on Russian history. At a dinner party, he approached by a young woman who thinks that his connections might be able to shed some light on her mother, Philomena (Judi Dench). After doing some thinking, he decides to take on this “human interest” story and finds out that Philomena’s son was taken away from her while she was in a convent. Having become pregnant, the sisters condemned her to four years of servitude as her penance. Looking back nearly 50 years later, she wants some resolution and to see if her son has ever thought to seek her out. Martin and Philomena start their investigation which eventually lands them in Washington D.C. where they’re starting to gain some momentum. However life can throw some twists and turns and to divulge too much more of the plot would simply ruin the movie.
I’ve been a big fan of Stephen Frears since I saw 2000’s High Fidelity which I consider to be some of John Cusack’s best work. That and I really enjoyed the soundtrack. Frears got a little more attention with 2006’s The Queen. The film was based on a true story and one that I’m tempted to do a little research on. Granted, with the Q & A feature on the Blu-ray, there was some “creative liberty” taken with Martin’s role, but I feel that both Coogan and Dench worked very well together. I watched the movie with my wife who is both Catholic and Republican and let me say that the movie doesn’t really paint a positive portrait of either. Let’s just say that if you’re heard stories about the mean old Catholic nuns, this epitomizes them to an exponential degree. Having said that, two aunts of hers are nuns and I’ll say they’re two of the nicest people I’ve ever met. (There, that should keep me in the clear for a while.) Philomena is a smart, funny and even emotional little film that I enjoyed so it comes with a hearty recommendation.
Video: How’s it look?
The movie comes to Blu-ray sporting a very nice-looking 1.78:1 AVC HD transfer. It’s new to Blu-ray, so we know that it’ll look pretty good to begin with. There are some flashback scenes which have a more natural color palette, though some of the scenes at the convent appear to be dim, flat and pale. This is, no doubt, to set the mood that the convent wasn’t the ideal place to be. The rosy red cheeks of the children contrast with the mundane background. As the film goes to the states, we see it warm up a bit and I’ll admit that the detail is amazing. To look at Judi Dench’s face and see every intricate wrinkle is fascinating and furthermore, seeing her on the included faeturette shows that the makeup staff did a top notch job. Contrast and black levels are rock solid as well. A top notch transfer and one that won’t leave viewers wanting.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The film was nominated for Best Score, but lost out to Steven Price’s wonderful efforts on Gravity. Still, this understated and sometimes whimsical score really sets the tone for the film. There are those films that are made for sound and those that aren’t and let me say that this fits the bill for the latter to a tee. Vocals are strong and lack any distortion (not that we’d expect any) and for a dialogue-driven film, there’s really nothing I can fault. Surrounds are used very sparingly, maybe for a passing car or airplane noise if memory serves. Simply put, it’s not one that’ll challenge your system, but yet still manages to deliver.
Supplements: What are the extras?
There are just enough supplements here to warrant a purchase, if you’re so inclined.
- Audio Commentary – Steve Coogan, who also produced and helped write the screenplay is joined by Screenwriter Jeff Pope as the duo discuss the film itself, Judi Dench and the history of the story. It’s an interesting listen and one that fans of the movie will no doubt enjoy. I’d have liked to have Frears on there as well, but ’twas not meant to be.
- A Conversation with Judi Dench – This 8 minute feature is essentially an interview with the Oscar-winning actress as she discusses her attraction to the role.
- The Real Philomena Lee – The title pretty much says it all, we’re treated to an interview with the person that inspired the movie.
- Q & A with Steve Coogan – The most robust of the filmed features, we get a pretty candid interview with Producer/Actor/Writer Steve Coogan who tells of his motivation to get the movie made, how he was moved by the material and the subsequent critical praise.
