If it wasn't for my current film class, I would have been deprived of seeing Mike Leigh's production of Vera Drake. Imelda Staunton plays the extremely loving mother and wife in 1950's Britain (She was nominated for an Academy Award this past year for her role as Drake). The story revolves around the humble middle class Drake family, who work hard for their money and enjoy the time they spend with one another. But Vera has a secret job. She performs abortions for local girls who cannot manage being parents. Her actions are met with terrible consequences as one of her patients nearly dies after the procedure, sending the local police on her tail.
What makes the story so captivating is how Leigh can take an elderly mother, with nothing but love to give, and show how the "cultural norm" can tear her and her family to pieces. She accepts no money for her services and does not even refer to the process as an abortion, just simply "help." The viewer feels so connected to Drake and her cause, despite the pro-life surroundings we live in these modern times.
Leigh uses his trademark style, making it as if the viewer is literally spying on these characters because of how real the situation and people are. Just as he did with Secrets and Lies, no big stars are used in the cast. Yet he always seems to have someone nominated for an Academy Award in his films.
It is not Leigh's goal with this picture to portray a monster, fighting against all laws and popular beliefs (It is more like seeing your sweetest grandma arrested for stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed her family). Drake is a much respected and admirable woman, which is easily seen by how the local government and police force treat her in captivity. But as the tagline for the film suggests, she will ever be known as a "Wife, Mother, and Criminal."
What makes the story so captivating is how Leigh can take an elderly mother, with nothing but love to give, and show how the "cultural norm" can tear her and her family to pieces. She accepts no money for her services and does not even refer to the process as an abortion, just simply "help." The viewer feels so connected to Drake and her cause, despite the pro-life surroundings we live in these modern times.
Leigh uses his trademark style, making it as if the viewer is literally spying on these characters because of how real the situation and people are. Just as he did with Secrets and Lies, no big stars are used in the cast. Yet he always seems to have someone nominated for an Academy Award in his films.
It is not Leigh's goal with this picture to portray a monster, fighting against all laws and popular beliefs (It is more like seeing your sweetest grandma arrested for stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed her family). Drake is a much respected and admirable woman, which is easily seen by how the local government and police force treat her in captivity. But as the tagline for the film suggests, she will ever be known as a "Wife, Mother, and Criminal."