Philomena (2013)
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A journalist helps an elderly woman search for her son who was forced into adoption decades ago.
The story
London-based journalist Martin Sixsmith is approached by the daughter of Philomena Lee to write a story about her mother, who was forced to give up her toddler son Anthony nearly fifty years ago. Though initially reluctant to write a human interest story, Sixsmith meets Philomena and decides to investigate her case. The investigation leads them to a convent in Ireland where Philomena was sent after becoming pregnant in 1951. They discover that the nuns gave her son up for adoption without her consent, and the convent claims the adoption records were destroyed in a fire.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Journalist Martin Sixsmith investigates the case of Philomena Lee, who was forced to give up her son Anthony in 1951. After discovering that the convent in Ireland destroyed adoption records, they receive a lead from the United States. They discover Anthony was renamed Michael A. Hess, a high-ranking official who died of AIDS eight years prior. Philomena meets Michael's partner, Pete Olsson, who shows her videos of Michael and reveals that Michael had privately wondered about his birth mother. Pete also reveals that Michael was buried in the convent's cemetery. Philomena and Martin return to the convent to find the grave. Martin confronts Sister Hildegarde McNulty, who was involved in the forced adoptions, accusing her of lying to Anthony. Despite her unrepentant stance, Philomena chooses to forgive her. Martin decides not to publish the story, but Philomena urges him to do so anyway.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 98
- Production countries
- France; United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Stephen Frears
- Writers
- Steve Coogan · screenplay; Jeff Pope · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Judi Dench · Philomena Lee; Steve Coogan · Martin Sixsmith; Michelle Fairley · Sally Mitchell; Barbara Jefford · Sister Hildegarde; Anna Maxwell Martin · Jane; Mare Winningham · Mary; Sophie Kennedy Clark · a young Philomena; Kate Fleetwood · a young Sister Hildegarde
- Genres
- drama; comedy-drama; LGBTQ-related
- Themes
- forgiveness; injustice; adoption; Catholic Church controversy
- Tone and mood
- profoundly affecting; moving; refined
- Premise and plot tags
- based on a true story; biographical drama; historical drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith (2009)
- Content notes
- LGBTQ-related
- Reception
- The film received critical praise, being described as a profoundly affecting drama and a moving, refined piece of filmmaking. It received generally favorable reviews and a high approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 91% · review count: 199; Metacritic · score: 77 · scale: 100 · review count: 42; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Best Screenplay · 70th Venice International Film Festival · 2013 · Win; People's Choice Award Runner-Up · 2013 Toronto International Film Festival · 2013 · Win; Best Picture · 86th Academy Awards · 2014 · Nomination; Best Adapted Screenplay · 86th Academy Awards · 2014 · Nomination; Best Actress · 86th Academy Awards · 2014 · Nomination; Best Original Score · 86th Academy Awards · 2014 · Nomination; Best Actress · British Independent Film Awards · Nomination; Best Actor · British Independent Film Awards · Nomination; Best European Film · David di Donatello Awards · 2014 · Win
- Production trivia
- The film is 70.9% accurate when compared to real-life events.; The final scene in which McNulty chastises Philomena from her wheelchair is fictional.; The two main characters, Philomena and Sister Hildegarde McNulty, never met in real life.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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