Vera Drake
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.00 You Save: $26.98 (96%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Vera Drake
Movie Review: a magnificent performance in a brilliant 5 Stars
you will not believe the performance mike leigh gets from the magnificent imelda staunton! if there were true justice in the oscars, she would have won hands down! at the film's conclusion, there was not a dry eye left in the theatre, and many shouts of "brava" were heard throughtout the end credits! i'll not give any spoilers here, except to say mr. leigh has created his ultimate masterpiece-even better than "topsy turvy" and secrets and lies"! the entire cast is absolutely brilliant, as is known as a trademark for mr. leigh, but to experience ms. staunton's performance, is to experience a great painting, if you will! she is magnificent from start to heartbreaking finish. this one is a true keeper, no matter your beliefs in abortion. the 1950's sets, cinematography, and above all else, ms. staunton's performance all combined together will leave you breathless. do not miss this dvd-it's a keeper and one for your collection.Movie Review: Get Naked (if you haven't already)
Summary: 5 Stars
Mike Leigh's Naked has long been one of my favorite films, and he's finally produced another in its league. Once again, the sympathy and understanding he and his actors elicit for those most of us would reflexively condemn makes for a film experience that should stay with you for a long, long time. And his recognition of the humanity we all embody and share goes beyond quirky or risible individuals--it includes a class consciousness that Americans could learn from. I can't say it better than a reviewer, Joanne Laurier: "Leigh is a genuine and honest artist who, unlike many contemporary filmmakers, does not utilize the plight of the downtrodden as a device for evoking the sneers and titillation of middle-class audiences." The film's contempt for blind justice is a good shock too--as Leigh so fully understands, while the justice system should indeed care about what people do, it should also care more about why they do it.Movie Review: Masterful
Summary: 5 Stars
What a difficult pleasure "Vera Drake" is. It is a film that has great acting and writing, yet deals with a controversial subject that is no less hard to approach now than it was in 1950, when the story takes place. The word "abortion" isn't even mentioned until the film is near it's end, but the watcher knows precisely what is being dealt with long before that.
Imelda Staunton is truly powerful in the title role, a simple woman who only wants to help others. As soon as she appears on the screen, one is drawn into her life and family. We follow Vera as she does what she can to make life easier for those around her. We see the consequences of Vera's "assistance" in areas that the world she lived in hadn't figured out how to deal with yet. In the end, I left the film wondering why we still haven't come to grips with this issue 55 years after the events in this film took place.
Movie Review: Powerful
Summary: 5 Stars
I came into this one expecting a lot because writer/director Mike Leigh is also the writer/director of SECRETS AND LIES. I was not disappointed.
It's a very different film. It has some very humorous parts, but mostly it's dark and dramatic. Very sharp writing, excellent characterization, an author who can look at all sides of an issue and keep the viewer interested throughout, and a fine "period piece" set in 1950 or thereabouts that captures a time quite well. A little slow, as one reviewer mentioned, but I don't think that's a bad thing in this case. I chalk it up to mood.
So, as you can guess by the five stars, which I rarely give out, I'm quite impressed. In fact, I'm about to go hunting for some more Mike Leigh films. This guy's really impressing me.
Movie Review: An Astonishing Film
Summary: 5 Stars
An astonishing film because the acting was brilliant and because the story and characters were outstanding. Were I voting at the Oscars, Imelda Staunton would have won the Oscar for one of the best performances ever, and the movie would have won for outstanding drama. All the cast were excellent. This movie accomplished what many movies strive to do and never achieve, make the viewer so enthralled that the viewer forgets there is any reality other than what is on th film. The topic, abortion, while highly controversial was delicately handled, and never overwhelms the movie by drawing attention away from the impact on the characters' lives. It is a haunting film and well worth watching. Highly, highly recommended.