Movie Review --- Philomena

I'll just say, Judi Dench is a wonderful actress.  She knocks this part out of the park, and its a true story based on a real person, so that's hard to do.

Looking at this poster of the movie, you might be tricked into thinking that this might be a comedy.  So not true. Really, NOT a comedy.

Philomena will make you smile occasionally, and she remains an upbeat person, much to our surprise, given the things that she lived through. She is the perfect example of how Christ wants us to "turn the other cheek" and try to understand that everyone has reasons for what they do, even when those actions cause you pain and suffering.

Its the story of a woman in Ireland who, as a young girl with no idea of what sex even is, becomes pregnant and ends up in a Catholic nunnery.  All the "wayward" girls there have to give 4 years of service to the nuns in return for their help, since these girls were all most likely thrown out by their families, given the times.
Fast forward to much later in this woman's life and she's determined to find the child that was stolen from her by the nuns.  He would be in his 50s by now, and in America.

I won't spoil the story, but the journey that she takes with a journalist's help will touch your heart and give you plenty to think about.