The simplicity that this film achieves is where it's strength is gained and the manner in which the director uses his actors allows the audience to actually feel the same emotions as the characters. Story takes place in London in the 1950's where families are still struggling to piece together their lives following the war but one chipper woman named Vera Drake (Emelda Staunton) spends her time helping others. Vera works cleaning the homes of the rich and also manages to pop in on sick and bedridden people that need care but she's equally adored by her husband Stan (Phil Davis) and her two adult children. Also, once or twice a week she performs illegal abortions on women that need "help".
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Vera is handed a name and address by Lily (Ruth Sheen) who gets money for organizing these procedures but doesn't pay Vera anything as she does this for the sake of helping those in need. One day during dinner the Drake's are visited by the police who arrest Vera after an abortion goes wrong and a girl almost dies and this leaves the family in total shock as they never knew she was doing this. With her family sitting by and being supportive the court agrees that Vera is not a threat to do this again and even though many rely on her care this doesn't stop the judge (Jim Broadbent) from making an example of her.
This film is directed by the great Mike Leigh (Naked, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy) who has shown considerable skill in filming intimate stories about the English working class. Leigh also is known to structure his stories around the improvisations of his actors and with this film he didn't tell them the secret involving Vera so when they first hear about her performing abortions their reactions are (for the most part) real. This film is designed to be told in a very simplistic and honest manner for realism and it works completely on that level but it's biggest strength comes from the perfect casting of Staunton. With Staunton's wonderful face this film can be looked at in two halves with the first half showing that never ending smile and displaying her infectious upbeat personality but once the police enter her home her face becomes a mask of guilt and shame. One of the most indelible images in film in recent years is the look that Staunton gives when the police show up which will change her and her family forever. It's a powerful moment and in it's own quiet manner this film is more powerful than any loud action film that gets churned out by Hollywood on a regular basis. This film doesn't take a stand on abortion one way or another because that's not what it's about, instead, audiences are given the privilege of viewing an extremely strong film aided by an amazing performance by Staunton.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Vera is handed a name and address by Lily (Ruth Sheen) who gets money for organizing these procedures but doesn't pay Vera anything as she does this for the sake of helping those in need. One day during dinner the Drake's are visited by the police who arrest Vera after an abortion goes wrong and a girl almost dies and this leaves the family in total shock as they never knew she was doing this. With her family sitting by and being supportive the court agrees that Vera is not a threat to do this again and even though many rely on her care this doesn't stop the judge (Jim Broadbent) from making an example of her.
This film is directed by the great Mike Leigh (Naked, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy) who has shown considerable skill in filming intimate stories about the English working class. Leigh also is known to structure his stories around the improvisations of his actors and with this film he didn't tell them the secret involving Vera so when they first hear about her performing abortions their reactions are (for the most part) real. This film is designed to be told in a very simplistic and honest manner for realism and it works completely on that level but it's biggest strength comes from the perfect casting of Staunton. With Staunton's wonderful face this film can be looked at in two halves with the first half showing that never ending smile and displaying her infectious upbeat personality but once the police enter her home her face becomes a mask of guilt and shame. One of the most indelible images in film in recent years is the look that Staunton gives when the police show up which will change her and her family forever. It's a powerful moment and in it's own quiet manner this film is more powerful than any loud action film that gets churned out by Hollywood on a regular basis. This film doesn't take a stand on abortion one way or another because that's not what it's about, instead, audiences are given the privilege of viewing an extremely strong film aided by an amazing performance by Staunton.