Vera Drake (2004)

Vera Drake: Directed by Mike Leigh. With Imelda Staunton, Richard Graham, Eddie Marsan, Anna Keaveney. Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain–a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.

“Itu0026#39;s not entertainment but…this is an extraordinary piece of work.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI went to see Alexander on a Wednesday night and Vera Drake the night after and what a contrast! A story that means something, characters that feel rough and real in your hands like worn stones in an old pathway, and above all film making with a purpose with no effort to dazzle just inform.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s not perfect, but this is the kind of imperfection all of us in Hollywood should strive for.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA word about the art direction too. I remember the 50u0026#39;s in England and yes it was just like that – I remember my parents kitchen being that dismal and green, and yes English people and English families can be that incommunicative, and yes they sat in front of the fire and talked about the war and the Blitz and yes we would sit in the parlour on Christmas day and eat off a table just like that.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere. Iu0026#39;ve shared secrets with you. Now go and see this and keep crap like Alexander off the screens.”