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As you would expect from the title it is a film about a woman
who performs abortions - or "helps girls" as she
would rather put it.
Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton) is one of those doughty Englishwomen
who just get on with life in the tough time following the
Second World War. Britain may have helped win it, but London
was flattened and all energies went to rebuilding it.
Many of the folk living there did not have an easy time and
the claustrophobic existence of families in tiny flats has
rarely been so well documented.
Although they were hard times, Drake's family is getting
on. Her husband Stan (Phil Davis) works as a mechanic and
son Sid (Daniel Mays) is a wide boy who is out to improve
his lot and works in a men's store.
There is a lot of love in the house and the family look after
each other.
But Vera has a sideline past-time where she helps induce
miscarriages in pregnant women. She is not paid for it, she
sees it as a community service. It is not until one of her
patients nearly dies and the police are called in that she
comes to the realisation that maybe what she had been doing
was illegal.
Vera Drake is an outstanding production, both in cinematographic
values, writing, performances, the works. Gritty sums it up,
but also heartfelt and affecting.
Staunton is unbelievably good. Her portrayal of the main
character is Oscar-winning stuff. Of the uniformly excellent
support cast Daniel Mays stands out as Sid.
Vera Drake handles its subject matter with care and without
judgement and Leigh has brought to life both the era and the
lives led by folks of that time.
Stunning.
Conclusion: Movie 95% Extras: N/A
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