A frustrated journalist (Steve Coogan) settles on a story of an elderly woman, Philomena (Judie Dench) in search of her long lost son who was taken from her when she was a young woman forced to live in a convent. Inspired by true events, Oscar winning Stephen Frears directs this tender and significant tale of a woman who fifty years later, wants to come to terms with the truth of her youth. But the truth is despite a disciplined life of God-pure nuns, all the religion in the world can’t change the facts. What they did to Philomena was pure evil.
In a time when women weren’t allowed to see their child or have claim in adoption rights, this frustrating and heart-breaking journey is also the bond and softening of Coogan to Dench’s character. The ugly rise of midlife comes into play – love, sex, guilt, values… And the examination of what’s the worst sin…giving the child up or keeping the story a secret.