Directed by Mike Leigh

I?m sure most movie buffs and cinema goers are familiar with the film ?Vera Drake? mainly due to the fact that British actress Imelda Staunton was nominated for an Academy Award for her strong portrayal of the title role. She didn?t win the Oscar but her performance in this film was definitely a winner nonetheless and she does have a BAFTA sitting on her mantle for her efforts.

Vera Drake is basically a saint. She is a house cleaner by day and after work she cares for her elderly mother, looks after lonely men who can?t fend for themselves and even invites them home to dinner so that they can also get a good feed. She has a loving husband Stan (Phil Davis) and two adult children Ethel (Alex Kelly) and Sid (Daniel Mays) who adore her. But in 1950?s London she is also considered a criminal as she ?helps girls out? who find themselves in trouble in a time when abortions were illegal. Her family are oblivious to the help Vera voluntarily dishes out to girls in the family way who are either too young or too poor to care for a new baby.

The girls are put in contact with Vera via Lily who unbeknownst to Vera is actually profiting from their partnership. Vera simply visits the girls, performs a little procedure and in a day or two the pregnancy will miscarry and nobody will be none the wiser. She treats the girls in a kind and compassionate manner and never judges them for their actions. Unfortunately though one of Vera?s ?girls? develops an infection from the procedure and nearly dies. It is not long before Vera?s world gets turned upside down when the police are called in to investigate.

Most of the actors are not house hold names but their performances in this film may result in many more film offers and the recognition they deserve. What makes their performances even more note worthy is that they actually acted in the film without any scripts to guide them. None of the actors (except for Imelda Staunton) were even aware of what Vera Drake actually did in this film and that the film was really about an abortionist.

The director, Mike Leigh, is certainly a brave man to tackle such a controversial topic, that even in this day and age has resulted in the murders of doctors who perform them safely in medical centres. The only real complaint I have about his directing is that the ending was a little disappointing and needed a little more closure. I just felt that it ended too abruptly and didn?t tie all the loose ends up.

The film had a very tiny budget, so small that they had to hum songs so they wouldn?t have to buy the copyright of songs. However, the film is very successful in making you feel like it really was post war London. The props and back drops all looked authentic to me any way. It gave me a real insight into what life was like half a century ago as well so I got a bit of a history lesson at the same time.

?Vera Drake? is well worth a look for any body who wants to see acting at its finest. There are no beautiful Hollywood looking actors in this film, just real people and that makes this film even more appealing. The film?s storyline is really unique and the subject matter will really divide those that watch it. I am glad I got to see Imelda Staunton?s performance but, that said, I don?t think it will be a film I will watch again and again.

THE EXTRAS

Other than Scene Selection there are no other extras available on this DVD.

CONCLUSION

Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton) is a house cleaner by day and after work she cares for her elderly mother as well as looking after lonely men who can?t fend for themselves, a model citizen really. She has a loving husband Stan (Phil Davis) and two adult children Ethel (Alex Kelly) and Sid (Daniel Mays) who adore her. But in 1950?s London she is also considered a criminal as she ?helps girls out? who find themselves in trouble in a time when abortions were illegal. Vera?s world gets turned upside down when one of her girls develops an infection and almost dies. This film is brilliantly acted and the storyline controversial but it is well worth a look.