Philomena

Philomena is one of those low-key dramedies that gives British cinema a good name. Lovingly crafted and wonderfully acted, it tells the true story of disgraced journalist Martin Sixsmith, who decides to write a human interest story about an elderly Irish woman’s search for the son she was forced to give up during her adolescence. With M now out of the picture, it’s nice to see Judi Dench play a more relatable charming old lady, but it is Steve Coogan’s admirably restrained performance that lingers in mind. A few Partidge-isms do creep in here and there ("Fucking Catholics!"), but there’s enough talent on display to suggest future “serious” performances wouldn’t go amiss.

4/5