Philomena

This movie based on the Martin Sixsmith book, "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee" stars the incomparable, Dame Judi Dench in the title role.  She is an amazing actress in ANY film that she acts.

Steve Coogan co-wrote the screenplay and stars as the reporter Martin Sixsmith.  He is a political journalist who doesn't write human interest stories but somehow gets intrigued about Philomena's story.

Philomena is a widow woman and devout catholic with a grown daughter who cannot stop thinking about her son that was taken from her when she was a young girl living in an Ireland convent.

The story is masterfully done with good comic bits and drama without being melodramatic.  The chemistry between Steve Coogan and Judi Dench was amazing to watch; they obviously are friends off-camera.  This movie really makes a person think about the power that the Catholic church has at orphanages and convents. The way the Catholic church arguably thinks more about making money than caring about the individual person and historically speaking, the lesser-class women of society makes for an interesting conversation to come out of seeing this movie.

I give this a one and a half thumb up in praise for all things Dench.