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Imelda Staunton, Philip Davis, Peter Wight, Adrian Scarborough, Heather Craney ... see more see more... , Daniel Mays , Alex Kelly , Sally Hawkins , Eddie Marsan , Ruth Sheen , Helen Coker , Martin Savage , Sinead Matthews , Alan Corduner , Lesley Sharp , Jim Broadbent , Fenella Woolgar , Lesley Manville , Sandra Voe , Liz White , Elizabeth Berrington , Emma Amos , Simon Chandler , Eileen Davies , Tom Ellis , Richard Graham , Nicky Henson , Paul Jesson , Nicholas Jones , Anna Keaveney , Anthony O'Donnell , Judith Scott , Tilly Vosburgh , Jeffry Wickham , Heather Cameron , Jane Wood , Marion Bailey , Robert Putt , Jake Wood , Wendy Nottingham , Leo Bill , Angela Curran , Sam Troughton , Alan Williams , Tracy O'Flaherty , Chris O'Dowd , Gerard Monaco , Billie Cook , Billy Seymour , Nina Fry , Lauren Holden , Joanna Griffiths , Angie Wallis , Vinette Robinson , Rosie Cavaliero , Lucy Pleasence , Craig Conway , Vincent Franklin , Michael Gunn , Paul Raffield , Philip Childs , Stephan Dunbar , Sid Mitchell

Written and directed by Academy Award-nominee Mike Leigh and set in England during the 1950s, this movie revolves around Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton), whose unrelenting dedication to her family is wel... read more read more...l known throughout her blue-collar town. However, there are more people than her rapidly aging mother and ill neighbor who depend on Vera's care. Though abortion was illegal and, of course, widely frowned upon in the '50s, Vera sees women going through unwanted pregnancies the same as she would anyone else -- human beings deserving of treatment. With this in mind, she regularly induces miscarriages for those who need them, and her patients are consistently grateful for her gentleness and understanding. Unfortunately for Vera, the law doesn't see her as aiding those in need; they interpret the abortions as murder, as do most of the other people in her life. When Vera's activities are revealed, her family life and relationships with those around her -- including the ones she helped nurse back to health -- are put in jeopardy. Vera Drake also features performances from Jim Broadbent, Heather Craney, and Philip Davis. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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82% liked it

10,771 ratings

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92% liked it

155 critics

R, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Mike Leigh

Release Date: October 10, 2004

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DVD Release Date: March 29, 2005

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Stats: 822 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (822)

  • FrizzDrop
    May 18, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    A captivating, impromptu film, directed by Mike Leigh, who takes chances and weaves together a narrative about the lives of the downtrodden working Irish families of the fifties, in this film headed by a woman with a plethora of secrets. Mike Leigh did not write a screenplay for ... read morethis film, but had most of the actors find their own characters, and then wrote everything around that. The scenes were improvised, and the emotions onscreen, however searing and real, were that of the moment, of the actual characters in their element. Therefore, this is an actor's film, one that is always bursting with the presence of Vera Drake (Staunton). There is a slow, deep resonance of the character of Vera Drake, who though is the main focus of the film isn't always the main priority. There is a whole subset of characters, including the daughter and son, their in-laws, and friends, besides these girls who are actually in trouble. There is also a slight undertone about the history of Ireland, including a women's right to choose, and the illegal means to which women took care of it at the time. More importantly are the implications to Vera's actions, the way it reflects on her family and her role in the community. Though at first I didn't understand the role of the plot in the last hour, it flowed that way to build tension between the family members. When the family hears about Vera's crimes it was the first time for the actors too, and it was genuine and gritty and hopeless all at the same time. Imelda Staunton, who has mostly been pigeonholed into the supporting character actor category so many times before, inexplicably shines. Vera Drake is an amazing character, so filled with a depth and personal tension that comes off her in waves, so much a martyr in many respects and yet she does unspeakable things in her religion and society. She is the epitome of pious maternal instincts and mousy womanhood. It's even hard to watch in certain places, and that all comes from Staunton's grace and serenity in the face of adversity. Beautiful, contextual film that is also a great period piece.
  • danperry17
    December 3, 2010
    danperry17
    In this film Mike Leigh gives us a powerful story of a true working class hero that is at once an indictment and an endorsement of the stereotypical British stiff upper lip. As a whole, the film isn't up to the captivating performance of Imelda Staunton in the title role - it sl... read moreips into dull and bleak domestic drama from time to time and it moves rather slowly, but Leigh never wastes a shot, and the action picks up in the last hour before the film reaches its stirring conclusion. Worth seeing once.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    Mike Leigh back on form! Great film with superb acting!
  • bbcfloridabound
    March 4, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    This is a little slow to begin with but soon you will find that Imelda Staunton who plays Vera Drake Captures your heart and you can't shut it off, her acting was beyond the best. When the law comes to question Vera and then all the scenes from there on out, you just have to see... read more to beleive. I would say you need to rent this today. 4 1/2 stars SEE IT NOW
  • jjnxn
    February 9, 2009
    jjnxn
    Imelda Staunton is simply astounding in the title role. A master thespian, as for the picture it is well made but too grim to be enjoyable. A worthy effiort but heavy going.
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    January 2, 2009
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: Mike Leigh.
    Starring: Imelda Staunton, Eddie Marsan, Philip Davis.

    << "I help girls out." >>

    To say that this film is 'entertainment' would be a terrible thing to say, due to the subject matter of the film, but no one can deny tha... read moret it is an outstanding and very powerful piece of filmmaking.

    From director and writer Mike Leigh, he has bought forward a very disturbing and controversial topic, abortion. The story follows a woman, Vera Drake, a domestic helper in her community with a heart of gold who does selfless deeds to help people around her.

    I will definitely not go into details about the story, as it is something you truly have to see and judge for yourself, but the screenplay is outstanding. It is injected with a sense of humanity and examines and explores the disturbing topic of abortion and the attitudes towards it in society. Not only that, but the screenplay is skillfully plotted and very deep. It carefully introduces us to Vera Drake and with the help of Imelda's performance, we really care for her and learn to hate her at the same time. We are also introduced brilliantly to her loving family and we understand there feelings throughout the entire film....all the way through the hauntingly emotional final hour.

    The acting is that of a higher class, although everyone gives great performances on many different levels, the star of the show is Imelda Staunton, who delivers an astonishing and masterful performance. She injects life into her character and makes us love her instantly and when the emotion hits, her face is the canvas and it carries a lot of the emotion of the film, she is an absolutely outstanding actress.

    The film is full of great British humor, powerful drama and emotion and it pulls you in from the very first scene and never lets you go until the credits roll (and even then, it will stay with you). As a word of warning, you will not leave this film with an uplifted mood, it will leave you somber and in tears, but you would have just experienced a very powerful masterpiece.

    87/100

    << "It ain't fair. Me mum brought up six of us in two rooms. If you can't feed 'em, you can't love 'em, now can you?" >>
  • jennifxu
    June 7, 2007
    jennifxu
    omg imelda staunton is such a SWEETHEART!! this very sweet movie broke my heart.
  • ceWEBrity
    March 29, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    On one hand, you've got a movie of surprising poignancy, considering it didn't have a script. Almost everything was improvised based on the concept of the scene. Some of the exchanges are excellent, helped along by strong performances. Imelda Staunton is a striking standout, and ... read morethough I don't think I would have given her the Oscar over Hilary Swank, she certainly deserved her nomination. Finally, the movie treats the controversial issue of abortion with a gentle, nonpartisan hand, getting all the pathos it can from the subject without making it feel manipulative.

    At the same time, though, I can't help but feel that this movie is agitatingly British. Long pauses in between dialogue, drab set pieces, and some really assy cinematography all mean that the movie is only engaging when it really has to be. Sure, it counts for a lot when the time comes, but it's not a consistent or perfect film. This tested even my iron patience in a few stretches. The first hour is somewhat repetitive, and it clears up by the end of the second act, but it's not an easy watch.
  • SarahG1988
    September 17, 2006
    SarahG1988
    One of Leigh's best, in my opion. Imelda Staunton was deffinatly worthy of her oscar nomination.
  • michaelneumann
    January 30, 2005
    michaelneumann
    This journal is totally directionless right now. I usually have something fake planned for it. But, I guess fits of "real" entries can sometimes plague even the shallowest of entertainment journals.

    I think I daydream too much. It invades my capacity to remember reality,... read more and I become oblivious. 3 years ago, I never, ever would've thought myself to be the slightest bit scatterbrained. I believe it is my surroundings that just aren't interesting enough on a consistent basis, and I escape in the most conservative, least harmful way. I daydream.

    Yet, all these figments of fantasy that overcome me feel like I'm ultimately denying my body. My mind is having all the fun. Which, I think, explains why I've had the urge to dance and get out much more lately and have been singing more in my car. I used to be so much more active before work.

    The beach and the toy store are now my sanctuaries away from home. Home is now my "reading, writing and drawing pit," and has never truly felt like home to me. I think that's why I need to get away from home more often. Give it more meaning. Go live these daydreams. See the world.

    (Sounds glamorous, but I really have little clue what I'm doing.)

    "You and your brothers travel too much," my Mom often tells me. "Why don't you want to come home?"
    "Well Mom, I stay away because I love you."

    The conversation gets pretty interesting after that. ;)

View All Vera Drake Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
January 28, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

With Vera Drake, [Leigh] has made his most controversial and accessible work Full Review

Richard Nilsen
November 4, 2004
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

All the actors so completely fade away that you come out of the film thinking you've seen the real people, not players reciting a script. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
November 1, 2004
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

[The movie] can break your heart. Full Review

Joe Baltake
October 29, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Mike Leigh, who seemingly has single-handedly revived kitchen-sink realism in modern British movies, hits something of a career high with the marvelous Vera Drake. Full Review

Tom Long
October 29, 2004
Tom Long, Detroit News

Staunton is brilliant as Vera.

Terry Lawson
October 29, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Gripping and elegantly told. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
October 29, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Comes close to ranking with [Leigh's] best work, the searing Naked and the witty Topsy Turvy.

Andrew Sarris
October 28, 2004
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Boo, hiss and all that -- but I can report that the film left me only vaguely depressed and nothing more. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
October 22, 2004
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Staunton is heartbreakingly fine.

Mick LaSalle
October 22, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Leigh thinks his movie is a social commentary, but it's really an almost-brilliant character study, with an essential piece left out: the moment Vera is revealed to herself. Full Review

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