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Overview

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Vera Drake, 2004

Starring: Imelda Staunton, Philip Davis

Directed by: Mike Leigh

Written by: Mike Leigh

Language: English

Country: UK, France, New Zealand

Runtime: 125 min

MPAA Rating: R

Rating:7.8

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Profile of Vera Drake

The mood of Vera Drake is gloomy, sincere, and captivating. The plot centers around a family in crisis, rebellion, and injustice. It is a drama and period movie. Stylistically, Vera Drake features realism. In approach, it is serious and realistic. The pacing is slow. Vera Drake takes place, at least partly, in a small town. The setting is England. It happens in the 1950s. Vera Drake is known for being a Venice Festival winner and critically acclaimed.

Summary of Vera Drake

Mike Leigh produces another devastating masterpiece with the heartbreaking Vera Drake. Imelda Staunton is the title character, beloved wife of Stan (Phil Davis) and mother of Sid (Daniel Mays) and Ethel (Alex Kelly). Vera spends her days cleaning houses for money and looking in on elderly and sick neighbors out of the kindness of her heart. She even attempts to be a matchmaker for her daughter, inviting a lonely neighbor, Reg (Eddie Marsan), to see if he might be a perfect match for the introverted Ethel. But Vera performs another duty that her family doesn't know about, one that is deeply frowned upon by society. When tragedy befalls a young client of Vera's, the truth comes out, forcing her family to see their mother in an entirely different light.

Staunton gives a towering performance and, in typical Mike Leigh fashion, the story, characters, and script were built from a grueling and intricate improvisation process, resulting in a film that burns with heart-wrenching sincerity. Rather than take a heavy-handed approach towards his controversial subject matter, Leigh heroically remains non-judgmental, delivering an achingly humanistic drama that will linger with audiences long after they leave the theater.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	UK, France, New Zealand
Release date:	8 October 2004
Runtime:	125 min

Cast and Crew See all

Imelda Staunton

as Vera

Philip Davis

as Stan

Photos See all

Imelda Staunton, Philip Davis and Helen Coker in Vera Drake (2004)

Imelda Staunton and Philip Davis in Vera Drake (2004)

Alex Kelly, Daniel Mays, Imelda Staunton and Philip Davis in Vera Drake (2004)

Imelda Staunton in Vera Drake (2004)

Clips See all

Vera Drake: Theatrical

Critics Reviews See all

Variety

Mike Leigh is at the peak of his powers with Vera Drake, a compassionate, morally complex drama that stands easily alongside his best work, "Secrets & Lies" and "Topsy-Turvy." Full Review

|
by: David Rooney

Entertainment Weekly

Stunning and compassionate period drama. Full Review

|
by: Lisa Schwarzbaum

Users Reviews See all

Like all of Leigh's best films -- such as Naked and Secrets & Lies -- this movie is anchored by an outstanding, subtle performance by Imelda Staunton as a charwoman who does abortions on the side to "help girls in trouble." It's a low-keyed and a... Read and rate it

11.May.2010
|
by: Art L.
Art L. rated this movie0/10

important movie

A gloomy movie about social injustice, the relations between the individual and the society, and how good deeds are sometimes not welcome. Fantastic acting. Read and rate it

12.August.2008
|
by: ani
ani rated this movie8/10Great

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