''Vera Drake'' (2004 movie)- Review

Directed by: Mike Leigh
Released: 2004
Country: United Kingdom

Main cast: Imelda Staunton, Phil Davis, Alex Kelly, Daniel Mays, Eddie Marsan, Richard Graham, Sam Troughton, Ruth Sheen, Adrian Scarborough, Lesley Manville, Peter Wight, Jim Broadbent, Martin Savage

Genres: Crime, Drama

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

''Vera Drake'' was in my to-watch list for a long time. Having loved Mike Leigh's ''Secrets & Lies'' (which is one of my favorite movies) I looked forward to watch more of his works. ''Vera Drake'' is a very excellent movie, another masterpiece from the talented Mike Leigh.  It is as wonderful as ''Secrets & Lies'', much more emotionally intense, and while not a classic like ''Secrets & Lies'', it is one of the best films directed by Mike Leigh and among the best films of 2004.

Imelda Staunton gives a marvelous performance as the film's protagonist and titular character, Vera Drake. Vera is a lower-middle-class woman who works as a maid in the house of  wealthy people. She probably is in her late fifties. Despite her financial hardships, she is a cheerful and happy person.  Her family consists of her husband Stan (Phil Davis), daughter Ethel (Alex Kelly) and son Sid (Daniel Mays). The family, despite of their financial difficulties, is very happy, and Vera takes care of them. Besides, she also takes care of her sick old mother. Always with a warm and affectionate smile, Vera is a caring and beloved person.

Imelda Staunton gives a stunningly excellent performance in ''Vera Drake''

But she has a secret of her own, a thing that she hasn't told anybody. For about 20 years, she has been performing abortions. Though it is against the law, she doesn't think she is doing anything wrong, she thinks she is just helping young woman by ending unwanted pregnancies. She does it without any money. But she hasn't even the slightest idea that Lily (played by Ruth Sheen), the person who organizes the abortions, actually gets the payment from the young women.

But then when one of her patients, Pamela, nearly dies, the detectives come to know that it wasn't a simple miscarriage, it was an abortion. When they come to know that it is Vera...

Imelda Staunton has brought her character to life. From the warm smile that brings her affection, warmness, and motherly character to life, to the tears that bring the tragedy to life, her performance simply makes the film a tear-jerking film. We see, throughout the film, how the life of the woman suddenly changes. We feel and pity and sad for this old woman... Imelda Staunton certainly deserved the Oscar nomination which she received.

It is an excellent film, with the excellent performances by the actors and the wonderful story and screenplay, the beautiful cinematography, and music. One of the best movies movies directed by Mike Leigh.

4 out of 5