I'm a big fan of Mike Leigh, although he can sometimes disappoint. Not this time. Vera Drake is a superb piece of drama, utterly compelling from start to finish.
It has the usual Mike Leigh themes of families, relative poverty, secrets etc. The main plot revolves around Vera's avocation as a back street abortionist. This very difficult theme is covered with superb intelligence and balance.
There is an element of implausibility about Vera's naiveté with regard to the commercial value of her avocation (she does her work out of charity while others profiteer on the back of the substantial risks Vera takes), but it is almost churlish to raise this point. Also, I suspect that implausible naiveté was more plausible back then in 1950's England.
The cast are superb. A lot of the English theatre usual suspects, I'd highlight Imelda Stauton (of course) but also Peter Wight and Adrian Scarborough. I haven't seen Leigh work with these particular fine actors before but it works superbly.
Vera Drake deserves all the praise it is getting and should pick up a fistful of awards when the award season proper gets going.
It has the usual Mike Leigh themes of families, relative poverty, secrets etc. The main plot revolves around Vera's avocation as a back street abortionist. This very difficult theme is covered with superb intelligence and balance.
There is an element of implausibility about Vera's naiveté with regard to the commercial value of her avocation (she does her work out of charity while others profiteer on the back of the substantial risks Vera takes), but it is almost churlish to raise this point. Also, I suspect that implausible naiveté was more plausible back then in 1950's England.
The cast are superb. A lot of the English theatre usual suspects, I'd highlight Imelda Stauton (of course) but also Peter Wight and Adrian Scarborough. I haven't seen Leigh work with these particular fine actors before but it works superbly.
Vera Drake deserves all the praise it is getting and should pick up a fistful of awards when the award season proper gets going.