Vera Drake, and Oscar-nominated film directed by Mike Leigh, tells the story of Vera Drake, a woman living in 1950s Britain. Drake is pictured as a kind-hearted, caring woman who is willing to care for others and to "help girls out." She and her family must question her actions, however, when she is arrested for aborting the babies of young girls.
The strongest aspect of the film is Drake herself, or at least Imelda Staunton's portrayal of her. Her kindness gives her a kind of resilience that causes her to stand out from the rest of the characters in the film. The rest of her family is ever-aware of her love as well, and her children, Sid and Ethel, as well as her husband, George, realize her importance in their lives. All of the scandal erupts amidst a time of celebration, and the viewer is aware of the emotional vacuum that seems to be present when Vera is absent.
The second strongest aspect of the film is Leigh's wonderful, gritty direction. He draws several parallels in the film, yet he makes them so wonderfully subtle, as to make to viewer think. And think the viewer must, as we are presented with Vera's kind-heartedness in contrast to her life-endangering acts, and the tangible life of the girls in contrast to present, but near-invisible, but life of the babies in their wombs. Sure, conservative critics view Drake as a political, pro-choice piece of garbage, but Leigh does not make the film so straight-forward or so one-dimensional. He makes no one the clear villain, with the possible exception of two women: one who is evidently pro-choice and one who is evidently pro-life.
Yet amongst Leigh's thought-provoking images and parallels is Andrew Dickson's music, which at first is quite beautiful, and even troubling, but then takes a turn for the worst as the same theme is played over and over again, distracting from the rest of the film, which is purposefully silent. Also, I feel that, towards the end of the film, the conflict is made too simple and too rushed. Some scenes are unnecessary to the film, but I think Leigh is just further contrasting happiness and celebration with eventual tragedy.
I would encourage those who watch the film to look past the idea that this movie is mere political propaganda. We must examine Drake's character, see her motives, and question her actions, but also her heart. The questioning of one's own moral values should not be ceased, regardless of his or her political view. I think Leigh challenges the viewer, not to support abortion, but to support loving and caring for others, even when we disagree with their actions.
Final Grade: B+.
The strongest aspect of the film is Drake herself, or at least Imelda Staunton's portrayal of her. Her kindness gives her a kind of resilience that causes her to stand out from the rest of the characters in the film. The rest of her family is ever-aware of her love as well, and her children, Sid and Ethel, as well as her husband, George, realize her importance in their lives. All of the scandal erupts amidst a time of celebration, and the viewer is aware of the emotional vacuum that seems to be present when Vera is absent.
The second strongest aspect of the film is Leigh's wonderful, gritty direction. He draws several parallels in the film, yet he makes them so wonderfully subtle, as to make to viewer think. And think the viewer must, as we are presented with Vera's kind-heartedness in contrast to her life-endangering acts, and the tangible life of the girls in contrast to present, but near-invisible, but life of the babies in their wombs. Sure, conservative critics view Drake as a political, pro-choice piece of garbage, but Leigh does not make the film so straight-forward or so one-dimensional. He makes no one the clear villain, with the possible exception of two women: one who is evidently pro-choice and one who is evidently pro-life.
Yet amongst Leigh's thought-provoking images and parallels is Andrew Dickson's music, which at first is quite beautiful, and even troubling, but then takes a turn for the worst as the same theme is played over and over again, distracting from the rest of the film, which is purposefully silent. Also, I feel that, towards the end of the film, the conflict is made too simple and too rushed. Some scenes are unnecessary to the film, but I think Leigh is just further contrasting happiness and celebration with eventual tragedy.
I would encourage those who watch the film to look past the idea that this movie is mere political propaganda. We must examine Drake's character, see her motives, and question her actions, but also her heart. The questioning of one's own moral values should not be ceased, regardless of his or her political view. I think Leigh challenges the viewer, not to support abortion, but to support loving and caring for others, even when we disagree with their actions.
Final Grade: B+.