VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

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VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:13pm

I am surprised there isn't a thread already devoted to this gut-wrenching, utterly human film featuring one of the few gems of recent cinematic performances, Imelda Staunton as Vera Drake. She is brilliant in her Oscar-worthy turn.

Comments?

Updated On: 7/24/07 at 01:13 PM

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:15pm

Absolutely brilliant film and performance of a lifetime by Staunton.

PEACE.

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:21pm

I cannot believe this did not receive a BEST PICTURE nod. It is a much better film than RAY and Swank did not deserve her second Oscar.

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:35pm

I've been wanting to see this for a while...seeing Imelda Staunton in HP might just make me go rent it. Right now.

One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...

It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 1:50pm

Well do NOT expect Umbridge! It is night and day. It will show you what an amazing actress she is, however.

PEACE.

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:21pm

VERA DRAKE is a fine film, and Imelda Staunton should by rights have won the Oscar for Best Actress. A marvel of a performance.

"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:23pm

incredible movie. I remember reading a review, and it compared the final scenes to "The Passion of Joan of Arc," which I thought was interesting.

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 2:39pm

This really is a great movie. I think the way it was made (no script; basically improvised; actors didn't know in advance anything more than their characters knew about the subject matter) is fascinating. And Imelda Staunton is indeed a versatile actress, judging by the only two movies I've seen her in (Vera Drake and Harry Potter).

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 5:37pm

I love me some Imelda Staunton, and the performances in this film were all understated and very well-done- so much so that I didn't even recognize Lesley Sharpe, who's a favorite of mine. That said, I think the film suffers from sanctifying the title character- her only flaw seemed to be her inarticulateness, and saints aren't very interesting to watch. My favorite bits were when the script (non-script, whatever) dared to get messy and delve into the sexism and classism inherent in the politics of abortion. But I wouldn't say Vera Drake screamed BEST PICTURE at me.

#10

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 6:35pm

Well, it may not have been the year's best picture, but it was much better than RAY.

#11

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 6:37pm

I don't see her as being at all sanctified. My heart broke for her, as she is so clearly going to suffer a great deal, but, well, that's what happens when you perform illegal surgical procedures with apparently no medical training whatever, and very nearly cause the death of one of your clients.

#12

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 6:47pm

Roscoe, that's the heart of the film. Your statement is truthful, but she felt is was right. She, in her heart, was helping these girls.

That's what makes this film, that argument lurking in the mind's of audience.

(Mind you, I am a strong pro-life supporter. I am very far from pro-choice.)

#13

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 7:02pm

Well, of course that's the point of the film, of course she feel she's doing the right thing. She's one of those strong quiet little people who do what they believe is right even when the rest of the world disagrees. The fact that what she does is rather ethically dicey only adds spice to the movie.

#14

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 7/24/07 at 7:08pm

Okay. I misread what you were saying as negative.

#15

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/10/14 at 5:31pm

Bumping this thread. I am so late to this party. Saw this for the very first time today. What a great, well-acted, emotional movie. I did not know until reading this thread that much of it was improvised. Is this really correct? Did you catch Chris O' Dowd in a very small part as Sid's customer (the one getting measured for the suit)?

#16

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/10/14 at 6:57pm

" But I wouldn't say Vera Drake screamed BEST PICTURE at me."

What film on the subject does, really? Even the fine Obvious Child is going to be non-starter for it to get any awards traction because it's not only an indie but an indie where abortion is the central theme.

Anyway, Mike Leigh rules but his films are so anti-Oscar/awards bait. It just seems with great luck performances like Staunton and Blethyn for Secrets & Lies get nominated, especially when something like David Thewlis in Naked or Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky (although she came real close) get ignored.

I do think the films serves as an interesting companion piece to Claude Chabrol's Story of Women. Not as good as VD but Isabelle Huppert is stunningly cold and has a devil may care attitude to being an illegal abortion provider in Occupied France which adds even more sinister twist to the danger in running such an operation.

#17

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/10/14 at 7:00pm

The moment when the police arrive and there is a long hold on Imelda Stauton's face. I consider this one of the Top 20 moments of best film acting. What she is able to portray without uttering a word is incredible.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#18

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/10/14 at 7:33pm

Totally agree, Gothampc. But her entire performance was so well acted and touching. That is why I am surprised the script was improvised.

#19

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/11/14 at 10:40pm

W"hat film on the subject does, really?"

It's a great movie. Another great movie on this subject is Claude Chabrol's Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes) with its tour de force performance by Isabelle Huppert as Marie Latour, the last woman executed by guillotine in France.

#20

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/12/14 at 11:51am

I don't think that any movie about abortion screams, "Oscar!". Having met Mike Leigh and his then wife, Alison Steadman, when "Life is Sweet" came out, I became an instant fan of his. His idea of making movies is unique and groundbreaking, very similar to John Cassavetes. He has never made a bad film. I was incredibly disappointed that she didn't win the Oscar, her performance is incredibly heartbreaking. Couldn't believe that "Million Dollar Baby" won the awards that it did...

Updated On: 8/12/14 at 11:51 AM

#21

re: VERA DRAKE: an appreciation thread

Posted: 8/12/14 at 12:38pm

I agree agree that no movie about abortion screams "Oscar!" Cabaret is probably as close as one could get to that.... and it's far from being a movie about abortion (not to mention that it lost best pic to The Godfather).

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