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Philomena
Philomena
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Philomena

Philomena

2013
Drama
1h 38m
Director Stephen Frears (The Queen) teams with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan for this powerful true story of an unmarried Irish-Catholic woman who, decades after being forced by her community to give up her newborn son, embarks on a search to find him with the aid of a BBC reporter. (tiff.net)

Philomena

2013
Drama
1h 38m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 58.61% from 1323 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1332)
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Rated 18 Jan 2014
6
35th
Achieves nothing remarkable other than Dench getting her kicks from watching Big Momma's House on pay-per-view. And I probably would've bumped up my score if she had bothered to share her thoughts about it.
Rated 17 Mar 2014
55
39th
TV Movie of the Week type stuff, with above average acting. It seemed rather calculated, and the humor wasn't great. So it failed to win me over.
Rated 25 Jan 2014
75
67th
Frears' solid direction, Dench's wonderful acting, and a very engaging story make this a very enjoyable film. Not really sure why this is getting so much awards attention, but what are you gonna do?
Rated 26 Dec 2013
2
11th
"human interest stories are a euphemism for stories about weak-minded, ignorant people". well, this obviously made him look like a douche. however, if your story about human toil and triumph is interesting or unique, people probably won't denigrate it as human interest. and the man is right: the acts here are unforgivable, as is the sap shit about holding hands in the face of evil. but this inoffensive oscar fluff does manage to emote once or twice through its layers of schmaltz.
Rated 05 Dec 2013
70
25th
A quiet, modest and mildly amusing drama with solid if unremarkable performances. This is just about as middle-of-the-road as you can get, and it doesn't have anything particularly interesting to say, but it's a moving little story and it passes the time.
Rated 17 Jun 2020
70
83rd
Coogan and Dench's back-and-forth make Philomena worth watching. While the subject matter is sad, I can't say I personally found it that emotionally moving, though the film does make it engaging enough. Coogan taking the nun to task was pretty satisfying. I'm not sure why, but for the first half of the film I kept expecting the revealed identity to be a mistake or subversion. Philomena remains a good film, well-acted.
Rated 06 Apr 2014
80
87th
"gerçek katoliklik bu değil .ss"
Rated 10 Mar 2014
65
42nd
A competent, gently moving portrayal of a story worth telling -one that is, predictably, unable to escape formula. The comedic parts are mostly awkward and the religious debates rather trite (although the compromise near the end was a remarkably resonant moment), but there's no denying the power of Dench's performance, the earnestness of the filmmakers or the engaging source material. But it never transcends the limitations of the 'human interest story' that it itself seems to acknowledge.
Rated 06 Mar 2014
80
77th
Could watch DAME Judy Dench watch Big Momma's House at least twice.
Rated 05 Mar 2014
60
42nd
It's charming enough, but Judi Dench's character is a bit too stupid (and yet of course clever). Both actors pull it off well enough, and it's a decent story. Worth watching, not more.
Rated 02 Mar 2014
60
19th
Dench is the whole show here, convincingly transforming into an ingratiating, working-class woman, hiding her past demons and emotional baggage behind a facade of cheerfulness. Unfortunately the screenplay feels too pat, contrived and melodramatic to be genuinely moving; a more scathing look at the Church which fosters and promotes such brutal behaviour would have been more interesting. Like its leading character, the film forces a warm and fuzzy smile on material which wears it uneasily.
Rated 28 Feb 2014
77
64th
A small, well-acted drama that has a lot of heart, but little impact.
Rated 20 Feb 2014
2
59th
The way the story is told would translate better as a documentary. There is simply not enough meat on the bones to really impress. This film really had the potential to bite catholicism, or religion as a whole, in the ass, but remains too modest for its own good. Shame.
Rated 12 Feb 2014
75
57th
It holds some likeable and motivated characters, who keep it interesting throughout the short running time. I was looking for something more, with the most profound moments being people looking out of windows. A nice well-written little drama. Nothing more, nothing less.
Rated 02 Jan 2014
84
66th
The true story of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) who sets out to track down the son she was forced to give up 50 years earlier, accompanied by a fallen journalist (Steve Coogan). A potentially manipulative story made to work by careful handling: Stephen Frears' direction gives the film the grounding it needs. The script, co-written by Coogan, is direct and sensitive (though Coogan gives himself some hamfisted lines). And Dench nails every side of Philomena--her naivete, her compassion, and her pain.
Rated 15 Dec 2013
65
28th
A middlebrow prestige film that tells a moving and important message in a safe and non-offensive manner. Dench does okay work here, but it's nowhere near the level of acting she gave in films like Notes on a Scandal or Iris.
Rated 13 Dec 2013
60
10th
Doesn't really have much of an impact. I'm just not one for those types of "silly, kooky old lady who says things like 'gay homosexual' but is actually smarter than she seems" characters that Judi Dench is playing here. Add to this the fact that the film seems to clearly side with Coogan's character's view of the story, so the whole thing just seems a little trite. It's a fun journey, but I doubt I'll remember it a year from now.
Rated 04 Nov 2013
92
86th
A nice, quiet little film that gets just about everything right. The moving true story that serves as the film's basis is a strong platform, but Judi Dench and Steve Coogan's standout performances help elevate the material into something even greater than the sum of its parts. So goes, too, for the sentimental wit of the excellent screenplay, towing a tough line between wry comedy and powerful drama, and pulling it off with style.
Rated 21 Jul 2023
60
72nd
I was worried this would be a bit boring but it’s an interesting story with two good leads – no fireworks, just a typical old fashioned engaging movie (with a fair smattering of amusing comments from Coogan’s character). I’d put the lack of drama & tear-jerking moments down to the fact the piece was trying to be as authentic to the true story as possible, so it was a surprise to discover plenty of artistic liberties had been taken with the narrative already.
Rated 30 Oct 2022
81
78th
An emotional tale with thematic undercurrents of faith, grief, disappointment, and injustice, and the complexity of differing worldviews. Judi Dench is philomenomenal.
Rated 05 Jul 2022
47
33rd
Fine. Goes for the most safe, least likely to be interesting visual choice at all times.
Rated 01 Jul 2022
68
62nd
"The baby's the wrong way around!" "The pain is her penance." Thank you, religion - the Catholic church rarely disappoints. Stephen Frears certainly knows how to tell a story, and a touching one this is. And this movie bears out my notion that comics (or people who have made their names as comic actors) are the most capable of conveying complex emotions. Steve Coogan manages to upstage (subtly, of course) Judi Dench more than once - who is marvelous.
Rated 28 Nov 2021
85
65th
Well written, with incredible acting - especially by Judi! Some very funny moments and some very sad moments. 100% believable, all round great movie.
Rated 19 Apr 2020
82
53rd
B+
Rated 20 Jul 2019
2
10th
It fine
Rated 19 Oct 2018
39
18th
Do you have a grandmother? She will probably love this.
Rated 01 Oct 2018
81
68th
81.33.
Rated 23 Jun 2018
60
63rd
okay movie
Rated 29 May 2018
86
75th
83.50+.55+1.50 = 85.55.
Rated 08 Jan 2017
80
66th
Great mix of drama and comedy, with a deep performance from Dame Judi Dench.
Rated 28 Apr 2016
13
64th
W4E0P1S2V1M1A2R2.
Rated 20 Mar 2016
80
74th
Solid drama with good performances. I was expecting not to enjoy the subject matter but Judi Dench brought some wonderful moments of levity (she has great comic timing!) to a poignant role. Coogan, he was more of an everyman. He was solid, but his role could have been played by other actors. Stephen Frears rarely disappoints!
Rated 03 Mar 2016
60
73rd
I thought I was going to see a film which I had seen many times before, and mostly I had. But the extra twists at the end did kick even my gristled old soul to anger. Dench gave the solid performance with the comic touches I expected. But Coogan was the revelation, he did the serious sidekick perfectly - and when he got angry I had to reappraise him as a serious actor.
Rated 27 Feb 2016
2
46th
Painfully calculated 'heart-warming' odd-couple with some really awful teen-angst level theological guff. Frears is a safe pair of hands (eyes?) though and Dench is really good so there are actually a couple of good moments. Still don't recommend.
Rated 30 Dec 2015
75
63rd
A smartly paced script and a fantastic performance by Judi Dench absolutely carry this movie. It's no masterpiece or anything, but it's a very endearing, engaging way to spend a quick hour and a half.
Rated 19 Oct 2015
2
29th
A little disappointing in the way it's told. And I'm afraid that, in the end, they proved the journalist's point that human interest stories are about "vulnerable, weak-minded, ignorant people".
Rated 14 Sep 2015
85
93rd
A nice story with a touch of humor. Took off some points for a lack of explanation of one of the scenes.
Rated 02 Sep 2015
93
82nd
1351
Rated 10 Jun 2015
35
30th
Journalists are presented too kindly in this disposable film. Solid human-interest material, but one of Eisenstein's Russian history films would certainly be a superior cinematic experience.
Rated 14 May 2015
80
79th
Fucking catholics
Rated 08 Mar 2015
65
73rd
Good film.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
70
56th
Coogan is a posh journalist and Dench is an old Catholic woman, yet Frears manages to play the culture clash in a unique, bullshit-free way. I've not read the source material, but Philomena feels like a charming encounter between two real people, rather than a hilarious meeting of worlds.
Rated 12 Jan 2015
50
38th
Surprisingly watchable, for a movie as attractive as 70 years old Judi Dench. The story is a very conventional, predictable tear-jerker with a few laughs thrown in to keep it going. It throws a few jabs at Catholic church, but not enough to make some strong statement.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
75
57th
As much as I love Judi Dench, this movie was not very interesting after all.
Rated 17 Dec 2014
68
45th
A watchable low-effort bit of Catholic bashing. The indignant Steve Coogan chewing out the bastards at the end is a real groaner, but it's hard not to be moved by this general premise and the rest of the expected pay-offs.
Rated 09 Dec 2014
7
57th
Philomena completely took me by surprise and it remarkably managed to make me both laugh and cry. This is a truly tragic story with several tough moments, but the balance of emotion and humour is perfectly pitched. Judi Dench unsurprisingly gives a masterclass and the innocence of her character is both touching and amusing. Whilst Steve Coogan gives my favourite of his post Partridge performances and once again he shows how good of an actor he really is. One of the surprising gems of the year.
Rated 24 Nov 2014
53
40th
Makes me a little bit angry. At times it makes me sad. Putting aside the subject material and it's ability to tug at my heart strings it's a tad of a plodder although I'm not really the target audience.
Rated 10 Sep 2014
75
64th
Judi Dench's face. That's all you need! Also, this is a fairly small film with a rather interesting story at its core.
Rated 26 Jul 2014
74
21st
Doesn't really engage until 50 minutes into the film.
Rated 13 Jul 2014
90
94th
Fantastic.
Rated 03 Jul 2014
82
69th
A capable drama for grown ups from Frears, and company. While the central relationship feels somewhat streamlined for purposes of the narrative, I appreciated the overall arc--this is less a movie about the Catholic Church as an institution, and more about one woman's Catholic faith lived out in its simplicity amid complex, painful, and potentially unforgivable events. That Philomena's faith prompts her forgiveness of evil doers stands as a pretty stiff challenge to any viewer, Catholic or not.
Rated 25 Jun 2014
63
53rd
A solidly crafted if conventional middlebrow tearjerker.
Rated 22 May 2014
50
27th
The goodwill Stephen Frears has engendered with such great works like The Grifters and The Queen is starting to wear off. This generic weepie certainly doesn't turn things around.
Rated 23 Apr 2014
60
52nd
Pleasant, if lacking a little bite and grit. Coogan and Dench both hold up the movie admirably and a solid screenplay sees this through its runtime easily. Not extraordinary, but worth a visit.
Rated 23 Apr 2014
76
43rd
It sounds like a breed of horse but it's really a movie about family. For the most part, I thought this film was pretty good. It has a lot of touching moments and a lot of moments that give you righteous anger. Judy Dench did a fine job as always. It was nice to see Steve Coogan in a slightly more serious role...
Rated 09 Mar 2014
50
40th
A decent story that takes too much artistic license with a far better true story that might have been better served with a documentary.
Rated 03 Mar 2014
40
27th
Oh no, old brit goes to america, which conflicts will arise.
Rated 03 Mar 2014
60
72nd
Never trust the Catholic church...lesson learned!
Rated 25 Feb 2014
75
67th
I came in with no expectations other than the fact that it was nominated for best picture. It was an interesting story with some pretty damn good performances from both Dench and Coogan. It really is a journey film and both characters really travel on both a literal and emotional trip. But for some reason it doesn't have the weight to make you remember this movie years from now, and I can already tell that it won't stick with me. I really enjoyed the score though.
Rated 24 Feb 2014
36
15th
Ah aqueles filmes de sempre distribuídos pelos Weinstein... Frears já foi bem melhor, especialmente nos anos 80 e 90.
Rated 23 Feb 2014
67
59th
I don't really understand some of the reviews I'm reading here. As far as I'm concerned, the balance between its humour and emotion was pitched almost perfectly. It's certainly thought-provoking if anything. Dench is superb and I hope she gets a few nods for this performance. A few niggles as with any film, mostly its pacing, but overall, a very pleasant watch.
Rated 21 Feb 2014
70
48th
Dench and Coogan do a good job. The execution of the great story feels a bit too much like your average tv mystery movie.
Rated 21 Feb 2014
65
20th
The Oscars' token feel-good stupid movie. The plot is enjoyable if you don't think too hard, the messages are blindingly obvious and boring, but the characters are enjoyable. Boils down to a good human interest story. Or Lifetime original movie.
Rated 19 Feb 2014
88
82nd
Dench and Coogan are a strong pairing to lead the film, and there is some genuine chemistry between the pair which carries the story nicely. Compared to the other 2014 oscar noms, this film is not as well made. It is not as polished or sharp or clear, and maybe it shouldn't be. The true story behind it all is incredibly powerful and moving, and distinctly infuriating. The film left me burning with a hatred of the crimes committed by the Catholic church in Ireland. The ending is painful to watch
Rated 16 Feb 2014
4
90th
More dark and powerful than I expected. Coogan is excellent, however Dench is absolutely mesmerizing. It's a very subtle plot, but gains on you as the time passes. I was very entertained from start till finish. - Very Good
Rated 11 Feb 2014
78
60th
well acted very emotional story... never read the book but I dont think it's a good adaptation with that many abrupt jumps in the story..
Rated 10 Feb 2014
73
83rd
The humble and honestly approach makes this an very enjoyable and charming movie. It very well balances the compelling story with enough wittiness. Good acting, especially by Dench that makes for a memorable relationship.
Rated 10 Feb 2014
55
45th
As far as movies with evil nuns go, I prefer Hot Fuzz.
Rated 09 Feb 2014
70
46th
Aside from Dench, Philomena is pretty mediocre. It pulls on the heart strings when it should and Coogan's character changes, ever so slightly, as is required. Dench pronouncing 'condoms' and desire to watch Big Mamma's House were the high points.
Rated 08 Feb 2014
70
54th
Nice script, mildly amusing, couple of chuckles, nothing more.
Rated 07 Feb 2014
1
3rd
it wasn't me who noticed this (so it might not be true), but.... three consecutive steve coogan lines: 1) "Human interest stories are garbage." 2) "Should I do a human interest story?" 3) "Hello, Philomena."
Rated 28 Jan 2014
85
45th
watch Philomena Streaming online here http://goo.gl/E4h2eG
Rated 25 Jan 2014
75
81st
The film totally won me over. Judi Dench is wonderful and adorable, and Steve Coogan is also quite likable. It's a pretty sad true story, and I definitely got emotional a few times. Sometimes that emotion was just anger though - the film reminded me why I dislike both nuns and republicans. Anyway, yeah, I liked it and I'm sure a lot of other people would too.
Rated 19 Jan 2014
75
69th
Very well written and acted. The direction choices are a tad conventional though.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
85
69th
Very sad story, very touching movie with two great actors. Also had some nice humour in it to make it a little less heavy.
Rated 31 Dec 2013
92
88th
So sad and beautiful and just lovely in a way that was very different from everything else I've seen this year.
Rated 18 Dec 2013
60
62nd
But it also lets linger a lasting hatred for the Catholic church, an attitude that sometimes edges out beyond a reasonable outrage over specific misdeeds in its past. And that prompted New York Post reviewer Kyle Smith to write, "This is a diabolical-Catholics film, straight up. ... A film that is half as harsh on Judaism or Islam, of course, wouldn't be made in the first place but would be universally reviled if it were. Philomena is a sucker punch, or maybe a sugary slice of arsenic cake."
Rated 15 Dec 2013
100
51st
very good movie
Rated 10 Dec 2013
76
78th
A very pleasant surprise. Dench is amazing as always, and the screenplay keeps the film surprisingly far away from Lifetime-movie fare.
Rated 08 Dec 2013
70
75th
Lovely stuff.
Rated 07 Nov 2013
8
92nd
A life affirming story of loss and belief, full of wit and observation. Brilliantly acted by Dench and Coogan who portray the unlikely relationship in a believable and charming way.

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