At first glance, Philomena's premise reads like that of a Lifetime movie of the week. An older, unassuming woman sets out in search of her long-lost son with the help of reluctant journalist. Life lessons are learned, hearts are warmed, and humor ensues. However, director Stephen Frears and co-writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope take this simple logline (based on a true story) and run with it in complete earnestness, crafting a sweet, thoughtful, and endearing story of guilt, redemption, and friendship that is buoyed by a remarkable performance from Judi Dench and excellent chemistry between the actress and her co-star, Steve Coogan. Hit the jump for my full review. Based on true events, Philomena follows the story of Philomena Lee (Dench), a woman who years earlier was forced to give her illegitimate son up for adoption while living in a convent. She has kept this fact a secret for nearly 50 years, but on the eve of what would be her son's birthday, she reveals his existence to her daughter (Anna Maxwell Martin) and subsequently sets out to track him down. When Lee's daughter runs into disgraced political journalist Martin Sixsmith (Coogan) at a party, she asks him to aid her mother in what would be a "human interest" story. Sixmith initially rejects the idea, noting that human interest stories are written for and about the "weak-minded, vulnerable, and ignorant." But seeing as how he's out of a job, Sixsmith later changes his tune and grudgingly agrees to help Philomena ...
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