PAUL DONOVAN is chilled by the contemporary resonance of Harper Lee’s coming of age tale amidst racism and white supremacy in this excellent production
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Film: Review - Philomena (12A)
MARIA DUARTE watches a moving tale of Catholic church abuse and a mother’s hunt for her son
GEOFF BOTTOMS recommends the unashamedly light-hearted escapism on offer in this stage version of the 1963 film
Full of mysterious religious references and radical sound design, the Scottish duo’s new offering is candidate for album of the year, suggests SIMON DUFF
MARY CONWAY revels in a powerful reminder that human lives are not defined by physical perfection
PAUL DONOVAN recommends the fine performances in this account of the pre-war meeting between the US president and the British king
TECLYN AROD relishes an intimate celebration of jazz improvisation that mixes local and national musicians
Philomena (12A)
Directed by Stephen Frears
Five stars
Be prepared to laugh, cry and be equally outraged by this compelling story about loss, faith, redemption and the scandalous abuses perpetrated by the Catholic church.
The film is inspired by the true tale of Irishwoman Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) who, in her seventies, enlisted the help of former BBC foreign correspondent Martin Sixsmith to find her son Anthony.
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