Vera Drake

UK 2004, 124 minutes
Dir. Mike Leigh
Rating: [M]
Genres: Drama / Girl-centric

Topics: Period 1950s.

Feat. Imelda Staunton, Phil Davis, Peter Wight

Aroview: An impeccable period drama from Mike Leigh that ranks alongside the director's best work, this is the moving story of a middle aged woman who was indicted as a back-street abortionist in post-war London.

Layered with the moral, legal, class and gender politics of its time and place, this richly evokes the early 1950s through fine cinematography and design, and the attuned dialogue and performances for which Leigh is renowned. Centre stage is veteran Imelda Staunton, who moves into a different class with her endearing portrayal of the committed wife and mother whose only crime was to "help out young girls".

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4 stars (Very Good) Set in 50's London, Vera Drake, an irrepressibly hopeful housecleaner and family woman, helps young women get rid of unwanted pregnancies, until the police appear and tear her world apart. Compelling, mesmerising, superbly acted and directed. ~GenXGirl