Philomena

Wow.... did not expect this one. Judi Dench is without doubt one of the leading gerontological actresses these days. This movie is not your common gerontological movie, it is not about aging, or aging families. The story is based on a true 2009 investigative book by Martin Sixsmith - a BBC correspondent. Philomena Lee (played by Judi Dench), Mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock was forced, in an Irish-Catholic community, to give away her son to adoption. Now, at her late life, she goes to a journey to try and find and re-connect with him. Regardless of the gerontological aspect - this is a quite a dramatic story which personally I was shocked to learn about. However, the performance of Dench is simply outstanding. Her portrayal of an aging Catholic woman, searching for her lost son, in the context of her religious beliefs and contrasted by the ageism she encounters from the "young" BBC correspondent - is simply astonishing, A must movie.