Sorry, this movie sucks

Pretty Good

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton) is a kind helpful mother and wife to a working-class family. She invites Reg (Eddie Marsan) for dinner and sets him up with daughter Ethel (Alex Kelly). Reg served in the war as well as her husband (Phil Davis) and son (Daniel Mays). She helps the local women with abortions. Unbeknownst to her, black marketeer Lily (Ruth Sheen) charges those women. In a parallel story, Vera also cleans the house of a government minister. The shy daughter Susan (Sally Hawkins) is raped during a date. She is desperate to get rid of her pregnancy and her friend directs her to a higher cost abortion where a psychiatrist uses her aunt's suicide as grounds to terminate.Mike Leigh delivers a movie full of humanity. Imelda Staunton is simply brilliant. I would have liked Susan's story to be more connected with Vera. Obviously, Leigh is making a point about the state of abortion for the different classes but it's not quite clear enough. Overall, Staunton overwhelms this movie with her humanity and kindness.

In a film of pitch-perfect, seemingly effortless performances, Imelda Staunton is the center piece, and her fantastic performance allows this heart-wrenching story to fall into place. Mike Leigh's "Vera Drake," is an engrossing drama about a down-to-earth woman performing backstreet abortions in 50's London. After a tentative opening during which the film's tone is established, the film becomes a subtle examination of a simple woman caught up in a complex world.Adored by her husband Stan (Phil Davis), and children Sid (Daniel Mays) and Ethel (Alex Kelly), she manages to be both the cornerstone of her family, and a highly thought of pillar of the community. She also performs illegal abortions for "girls who are in trouble," a service she does for free and without her family's knowledge. When one of the abortions goes wrong, however, Vera's secret life comes to the attention of the police. Detective Inspector Webster does his duty by arresting her, but we can see in his eyes that it pains him to perform it in this case.There is a magical cinematic moment in the film where Leigh's camera literally zooms in on Vera's face and stays there. Her face is like a canvas, and at the beginning it shows a woman of limited intelligence who has found contentment in her life's routine. By the end, there is terror, bewilderment, and panic. It's at that moment, the changes in her expression, and the ways in which her eyes react--is the crowning moment of "Vera Drake,' and to be remembered. "Vera Drake" is vintage Leigh, relying more so on the actors than the storyline. There's a lot of improvisation and all of the actors make contributions. The result is a sense of authenticity that makes this film so intense. "Vera Drake" moves at a slower pace, turning off many viewers, and making it difficult to fully appreciate it's impact. For those who have the patience to become absorbed in this kind of drama, "Vera Drake" offers a stunningly real character portrait whose impression will linger long after the movie has faded.

Why don't you "Put the kettle on" on and read this review of director Mike Leigh's 2004 drama that is very engaging and very British. He won numerous awards along with actress Imelda Staunton, while also being nominated for dozens more.Taking place in early 1950s London, Staunton gives a jolly good performance in a career defining role as Vera Drake, a woman who "helps" out other women who can't manage. This helping involves performing illegal abortions. Before you start judging her, we see her as the absolute model of perfection. She cleans houses, cares for her elderly mother as well as her own family. She has a husband and two grown children (Ethel and Sid) who all live in a cramped flat with barley enough room to turn around. Vera is so kind, loving and generous you are reminded of Mary Poppins. Repressed childhood trauma and a need to help people led her down this path.She has done this for many years and has never taken any money for doing it. Her long time friend Susan brings her the address of a woman in need and Vera arrives with her bag of tools. "First thing we do is put the kettle on". We see Vera visit a number of women all of whom deal differently with their situation. Some are doing it for the first time, while some are disturbingly use to it. Vera rationalizes her actions by feeling she is doing good and helping women at the most dire hour.When a young girl becomes ill and needs to be hospitalized, Vera's life and spotless reputation is about to be aborted as well. During her daughter's engagement dinner the police coming knocking, and Vera has a huge "oh sh*t" moment. The film then takes a strong emotional turn as her family has to deal with this secret life of hers. At the police station she admits to everything and signs a full confession. For the rest of the film Vera is in a state of shock and disbelief. Her bail is posted but her family life will never be the same. Her son Sid is disgusted by what she has done and refuses to be in the same room with her, while her daughter is sheepish but supportive. Her husband is torn and bewildered but remains supportive as well. This brings us to a very awkward Christmas celebration in contrast to the very joyful and lively engagement party from earlier (before the police crashed it). Vera eventually goes on trial and is sentenced.Although she does perform these abortions Vera is not a monster, she is not a leftist radical. She is a sympathetic mother of mercy to countless women. Because of the subject matter this film will no doubt divide people but the character of Vera Drake is one to remember.In recent years Imelda Staunton can be seen playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movies.

This film is about a woman in 1950's Britain, who helps young girls get abortions using primitive methods that were illegal in those days."Vera Drake" is slow, but it does not feel boring for one minute. It is so engaging that I can't stop watching it. This is quite a feat, as the arrest scene is 30 minutes long, and yet it is very intense and engaging. Vera Drake is portrayed as a kind, simple and uncalculating woman. Her arrest makes me sympathise with her. I was hoping for an emotional climax of people marching on the street to help her, but unfortunately there was no such scene.I also liked the contrast between the rich girl who was raped (played by Sally Hawkins), and the poor and underprivileged woman that Vera Drake helped. This could have been developed further, but sadly Sally Hawkins' character did not appear in the film again after the abortion. "Vera Drake" is a very good drama that makes you think, feel and sympathise.However, the ending is slightly disappointing for me, as finding out there are other women like Vera Dake makes her less unique. I would rather remember her as a pioneer, rather than one of the many who helps others. If not, why make a film about Vera Drake and not the other women who has done the same?