Vera Drake (2004)

Directed by Mike Leigh. Starring Imelda Staunton, Phil Davis, Adrian Scarborough, Heather Craney, Daniel Mays, Eddie Marsan, Alex Kelly, Ruth Sheen, Peter Wright, Sally Hawkins, Sandra Voe, Lesley Sharp, Liz White, Martin Savage, Lesley Manville, Simon Chandler. [R]

Compelling drama of a poor working-class family in post-war London whose members are blissfully unaware that their kindly and compassionate matriarch, Vera (Staunton), assists desperate ladies in the community by performing illegal abortions. One of writer/director Leigh’s most humanistic and inclusive films, cunningly crafted as a portrait of a family shattered by the “secret life” of one of its key figures instead of a rote message movie; it’s not even aligned to argue the morality of the act itself, but rather shine a harsh light on the reality that such drastic “back alley” measures must be taken in the first place to help women in need. Patient but potent storytelling, with wily characterizations born out of improvisational preparations. Sub-plot involving young Hawkins, carrying a child that’s a consequence of rape, provides a pungent counterpoint that details the lengths a woman had to go through to get care the “proper” way. Smartly cast throughout, with Staunton the bountifully charitable center, who hardly says a word during the final act, yet her body language and devastated expressions speak volumes. Jim Broadbent has a small role as a judge.

85/100