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Philomena | Rotten Tomatoes

️Fri Nov 22 2013

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Critics Consensus

Based on a powerful true story and led by note-perfect performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, Philomena offers a profoundly affecting drama for adult filmgoers of all ages.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross The Spectator It is quiet, restrained, unfussy, and has, at its heart, an injustice so grave it will make your blood boil. You will also cry. Sep 5, 2018 Full Review Anna Smith metro.co.uk Despite its weighty themes, Stephen Frears' film is almost as much a comedy as a drama. Rated: 5/5 Sep 6, 2017 Full Review Monica Castillo Bitch Media The movie is a bit of a puzzle coming from atheist co-writer Steve Coogan and the script grapples with these big questions of religion, class, and justice in a way that's far beyond the typical teary human-interest story. May 10, 2016 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Judi Dench's greatest screen performance... Rated: 4.5/5 Jan 30, 2023 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies While several dramatic liberties were taken with the actual true account, most of them help make this a better film. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 24, 2022 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The restrained realism and depth of the melodrama are perfectly balanced, altogether avoiding what could have easily become schmaltzy. Rated: 3/4 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

judy b Just watched it again for the second time. Powerfully touching and horrifying at the same time, because it’s a true story. Great performance by Judi Dench. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/25 Full Review paul o Beautifully acted by Judy Dench and to a lesser extent Steve Coogan. A powerful tear jerker of a film. Well worth watching. Judy Dench is so good. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/23/24 Full Review KB B This was such an exceptional movie with great acting and storyline. It was so intense and sad; definitely a tear jerker. Judi Dench was superb as usual. It's a must see. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Cinephemeride [ a touching story served by actors with finesse and sobriety Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review John G A touching and significant movie. But it is undermined if one understands it's frequent manipulation of the "true story". Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review Alec B Often the film becomes a bit too heavy handed, especially in the flashbacks, but when the focus is on the odd and effective pairing of Coogan and Dench its more grounded in real substance and becomes rather moving. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Philomena (2013) Philomena (2013) Philomena (2013) Philomena (2013) Philomena (2013) Philomena (2013) View more photos

Synopsis In 1952, Irish teenager Philomena (Judi Dench) became pregnant out of wedlock and was sent to a convent. When her baby, Anthony, was a toddler, the nuns took Philomena's child away from her and put him up for adoption in the United States. For the next 50 years, she searched tirelessly for her son. When former BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) learns of the story, he becomes her ally. They travel together to America to find Anthony and become unexpectedly close in the process.

Director

Stephen Frears

Producer

Gabrielle Tana, Steve Coogan, Tracey Seaward

Screenwriter

Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope

Distributor

Weinstein Co.

Production Co

Baby Cow Productions, Magnolia Mae

Rating

PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Sexual References|Thematic Elements)

Genre

Drama, Comedy, Biography

Original Language

English

Release Date (Theaters)

Nov 22, 2013, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)

Apr 4, 2014

Box Office (Gross USA)

$37.7M

Runtime

1h 37m

Sound Mix

Dolby Digital