Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Philomena Blu-ray Movie Review

Everyone loves a good mystery, especially when the mystery is only the beginning of something better.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 21, 2014

Title character Philomena's story isn't at all unique, at least not on the surface. Her search for her long-lost son is one undertaken everyday in nations around the world. Modern technology -- digital sleuthing and the abundance of information available to anyone with fingertips (and, sometimes, a credit card) -- has made the search simpler, but with that simplicity comes the very real possibility of resolution, a resolution that may lead either to a brand new world or to the finality of closure. It's now oftentimes more about the search's aftermath than it is the search itself, an aftermath that frequently only opens more avenues while only closing off the road left behind. There's a little bit of everything in Philomena, everything one might expect of a modern search in the digital, open-world age. It's a story of pain, uncertainty, helpfulness, closed doors, secrets, lies, revelations, awkward meetings, integrity, personal resolution, and spiritual settling. It's a beautifully crafted film that tells a simply shaped story of a search not so much for a body but for a soul, not so much a place but a purpose, not so much an ending but rather a beginning.

A journey begins.

A young Philomena (Sophie Kennedy Clark) becomes pregnant out of wedlock. Her child is born and raised in an Irish convent, his mother practically enslaved as a clothes launderer within its walls and only granted one hour of access to him per day. While still a very young boy, he's adopted into a new home, never to be heard from again. Decades pass -- five of them, in fact -- and Philomena (Judi Dench) longs to reunite with her son. When word of her quest reaches the ears of a disgraced BBC journalist named Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), the pair set out to discover what has become of her son, now over fifty years old and likely unaware of his true past. Their journey first takes them to the Irish abbey where only more questions, not answers, await. The journey then takes them to the United States and one ocean closer to the truth not only about her son's life, but the people who took him away from his mother without her consent decades ago.

At its center, Philomena is a story of closure and redemption, about two people whose lives have, over the years, taken unexpected turns and who wish, through a single, shared, focused quest, to rediscover who they were, who they are, who they may have been, and who they still might be. It's about two people searching not exactly for a brighter future but for a direction, where to go, and how to get there through the prism of difficult pasts, pasts with which they have largely come to terms -- particularly Philomena -- but for which they nevertheless seek reconciliation. The journey leads them to unexpected places and some unexpected answers. The mystery itself proves not particularly difficult for them to sort out, which allows the story to reach the crux -- it's true purpose -- without the overreaching mystery dominating the entire picture. Rather than a simple "missing person" mystery, Philomena is more about telling a story of intertwining lives, of hope, of the satisfaction that something good could come from something bad, that choices have consequences but that those consequences don't always follow a predicted, predetermined path. The film not-so-subtly challenges and incorporates controversial story points, including stringent religious ideals and personal lifestyle choices, but the film's pleasure comes from witnessing the characters, and Philomena in particular, not simply satisfying curiosity but finding a center, rekindling a spirit, and demonstrating the power of closure that's embodied in a fitting and well-executed final scene.

Director Stephen Frears (The Queen) crafts the film with a beautiful visual subtlety, a smooth professionalism that places the focus on the story and, more intimately and more importantly, the thoughts and souls of its lead characters. He accentuates a compelling narrative by largely staying out of the way but effectively capturing the dramatic essences of the performances, the deep, inward-focused trials, understandings, pains, and reliefs that the actors so expertly convey. Indeed, the film is graced by two incredible performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, both of whom find their characters' purposes and spirits, shaping those characters below the surface and exploring their complex centers with precise outward performances. Dench was awarded with a well-deserved Best Actress Oscar nomination for her work in the film.

Philomena Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Philomena looks marvelous. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray presentation offers two distinct styles, one the predominant clean digital photography representing the modern-day story and the other the significantly grittier and somewhat softer footage capturing the scenes from five decades past. Both look marvelous. The modern-day imagery is noticeably glossy and smooth but not to excess. It nevertheless displays a tremendous amount of detail and faultless clarity. The image reveals complex and intimate facial lines and features with ease and an abundance of definition down at even the most intimate close-up level. Likewise, the frame never betrays its full sharpness and consistent clarity, beautifully showcasing both well-defined country and old town Irish locations. Washington, D.C. exteriors and interiors, too, are presented with sparkling texture and lifelike brilliance. The color palette is consistent and satisfying, a bit warm in some lower-light interiors but showing a true-to-life brilliance in well-lit outdoor scenes and brighter interiors both. Black levels are deep and true, while flesh tones are likewise consistently natural, save for some of the lower-light scenes in which they take on the room's warmth. The grittier 1960s Irish abbey scenes are beautifully presented, a bit soft and almost dreamy but very well defined and consistent with slightly pale but even colors in support. This is a very fine presentation all-around from Anchor Bay.

Philomena Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Philomena's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is all one might reasonably expect of a dramatic, dialogue-heavy film. Music is well pronounced, playing with an abundance of clarity. It's beautifully spacious, sufficiently robust, and intoxicatingly smooth. It's never aggressive, but a subtle supporting low end gives it a commendable body and sense of completeness. Supportive ambient effects are very well integrated. Whether in the 1960s where listeners will enjoy the varied background din of a busy carnival or in the modern day where a hotel restaurant bustles with activity, the track effortlessly places the listener in the film's key locations. The track never plays with explosive sound effects, but even seemingly minor elements, like creaking floors, are noticeably authentic in presentation. Dialogue plays smoothly and naturally from the center and enjoys a realistically light reverberation within the Lincoln Memorial as heard in chapter eight. This is a wonderful all-around Drama soundtrack from Anchor Bay.

Philomena Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Philomena contains several bonus features. A UV digital copy code is included in the case.

• Audio Commentary: Writer/Actor/Producer Steve Coogan and Screenwriter Jeff Pope deliver an even, interesting commentary that deals in a wide range of subjects, discussing film generalities and details alike, broader story elements, film anecdotes, scene specifics, themes, performances, score, and more. This is a positive, well-delivered commentary that supports the film very well.
• A Conversation with Judi Dench (SD, 8:54): The acclaimed actress discusses her early acting career, career challenges, playing in the James Bond films, career advice, her thoughts on playing a variety of parts, and more.
• The Real Philomena Lee (SD, 2:47): A story recap and an interview with the real Philomena Lee at AFI Fest.
• Q&A with Steve Coogan (SD, 24:17): Moderator Timothy Blake hosts the Actor/Writer/Producer. From the Guild Screening in Los Angeles, CA, December 2013.

Philomena Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Philomena's story is one of mystery but also one that runs much deeper and more profound than that. It's truly a story of a journey towards understanding, acceptance, and closure. It's about an unlikely bond between two people in the physical realm and a mother's search for a bond with the child she barely knew. It's a much more compelling film as a personal journey rather than a straight mystery. Quality but unobtrusive direction and effortless performances give shape to one of the year's must-see films. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Philomena features striking video, excellent audio, and several supplements. Highly recommended.