re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

[americanboy99]

I am surprised there isn't a thread already devoted to this gut-wrenching, utterly human film featuring one of the few gems of recent cinematic performances, Imelda Staunton as Vera Drake. She is brilliant in her Oscar-worthy turn.

Comments?

[SueleenGay]

Absolutely brilliant film and performance of a lifetime by Staunton.

[americanboy99]

I cannot believe this did not receive a BEST PICTURE nod. It is a much better film than RAY and Swank did not deserve her second Oscar.

[Raviolisun]

I've been wanting to see this for a while...seeing Imelda Staunton in HP might just make me go rent it. Right now.

[SueleenGay]

Well do NOT expect Umbridge! It is night and day. It will show you what an amazing actress she is, however.

[Roscoe]

VERA DRAKE is a fine film, and Imelda Staunton should by rights have won the Oscar for Best Actress. A marvel of a performance.

[chris d]

incredible movie. I remember reading a review, and it compared the final scenes to "The Passion of Joan of Arc," which I thought was interesting.

[Jilani]

This really is a great movie. I think the way it was made (no script; basically improvised; actors didn't know in advance anything more than their characters knew about the subject matter) is fascinating. And Imelda Staunton is indeed a versatile actress, judging by the only two movies I've seen her in (Vera Drake and Harry Potter).

[Plum]

I love me some Imelda Staunton, and the performances in this film were all understated and very well-done- so much so that I didn't even recognize Lesley Sharpe, who's a favorite of mine. That said, I think the film suffers from sanctifying the title character- her only flaw seemed to be her inarticulateness, and saints aren't very interesting to watch. My favorite bits were when the script (non-script, whatever) dared to get messy and delve into the sexism and classism inherent in the politics of abortion. But I wouldn't say Vera Drake screamed BEST PICTURE at me.

[americanboy99]

Well, it may not have been the year's best picture, but it was much better than RAY.

[Roscoe]

I don't see her as being at all sanctified. My heart broke for her, as she is so clearly going to suffer a great deal, but, well, that's what happens when you perform illegal surgical procedures with apparently no medical training whatever, and very nearly cause the death of one of your clients.

[americanboy99]

Roscoe, that's the heart of the film. Your statement is truthful, but she felt is was right. She, in her heart, was helping these girls.

That's what makes this film, that argument lurking in the mind's of audience.

(Mind you, I am a strong pro-life supporter. I am very far from pro-choice.)

[Roscoe]

Well, of course that's the point of the film, of course she feel she's doing the right thing. She's one of those strong quiet little people who do what they believe is right even when the rest of the world disagrees. The fact that what she does is rather ethically dicey only adds spice to the movie.

[americanboy99]

Okay. I misread what you were saying as negative.

[ArtMan]

Bumping this thread. I am so late to this party. Saw this for the very first time today. What a great, well-acted, emotional movie. I did not know until reading this thread that much of it was improvised. Is this really correct? Did you catch Chris O' Dowd in a very small part as Sid's customer (the one getting measured for the suit)?

[strummergirl]

" But I wouldn't say Vera Drake screamed BEST PICTURE at me."

What film on the subject does, really? Even the fine Obvious Child is going to be non-starter for it to get any awards traction because it's not only an indie but an indie where abortion is the central theme.

Anyway, Mike Leigh rules but his films are so anti-Oscar/awards bait. It just seems with great luck performances like Staunton and Blethyn for Secrets & Lies get nominated, especially when something like David Thewlis in Naked or Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky (although she came real close) get ignored.

I do think the films serves as an interesting companion piece to Claude Chabrol's Story of Women. Not as good as VD but Isabelle Huppert is stunningly cold and has a devil may care attitude to being an illegal abortion provider in Occupied France which adds even more sinister twist to the danger in running such an operation.

[Gothampc]

The moment when the police arrive and there is a long hold on Imelda Stauton's face. I consider this one of the Top 20 moments of best film acting. What she is able to portray without uttering a word is incredible.

[ArtMan]

Totally agree, Gothampc. But her entire performance was so well acted and touching. That is why I am surprised the script was improvised.

[henrikegerman]

W"hat film on the subject does, really?"

It's a great movie. Another great movie on this subject is Claude Chabrol's Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes) with its tour de force performance by Isabelle Huppert as Marie Latour, the last woman executed by guillotine in France.

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

I don't think that any movie about abortion screams, "Oscar!". Having met Mike Leigh and his then wife, Alison Steadman, when "Life is Sweet" came out, I became an instant fan of his. His idea of making movies is unique and groundbreaking, very similar to John Cassavetes. He has never made a bad film. I was incredibly disappointed that she didn't win the Oscar, her performance is incredibly heartbreaking. Couldn't believe that "Million Dollar Baby" won the awards that it did...

[henrikegerman]

I agree agree that no movie about abortion screams "Oscar!" Cabaret is probably as close as one could get to that.... and it's far from being a movie about abortion (not to mention that it lost best pic to The Godfather).