Philomena

Judi Dench is so wonderful as Philomena that not receiving an Oscar nomination for her work would be as big of a screw job as the one her character receives. Dench plays Philomena, a good-natured, Catholic woman with so many questions about the son that was taken away from her by the Catholic church. She's spent 50 years wanting to reunite with her son, and when she meets a journalist named Martin (Steve Coogan) she just might get her chance to get her answers to who her son really is.

One of my favorite things about Philomena is the dynamic between Judi Dench and Steve Coogan's characters. Their dynamic is so perfect, natural, and charming you would swear the two characters (or even the two actors) have known each other forever, I certainly could have watched them forever. It's such a yin yang dynamic with Philomena's purity versus Martin's sarcasm and sting yet the two blend in a way you wouldn't see coming. They couldn't be more different yet their journey to the answers couldn't be more enjoyable. Dench is as stellar as being sweet as Coogan is as being sour.

Philomena's journey is so heartbreaking and involving you'll follow the two characters' path like a roller coaster. What they find out will punch the viewer in the gut yet also will hit your funny bone along the way. Philomena involves all senses in the journey due to the warmth, humor, and sheer fascination I had in her story. Philomena is a knock-out.

Grade: 4/4