Damn you Mike Leigh!

You, more so than any other director, have the ability to put my heart and emotions through the wringer. Once again! It's the equivalent of listening to StoryCorps on Friday mornings on my way to work - They always make me well up.

Leigh's film, like always, features amazing, tender and honest performances. Whether it be Imelda Staunton as Vera Drake, quite possibly the most thoughtful, selfless and good-natured woman put on screen; or Philip Davis as Vera's husband, Stan, loving, supportive and always grateful and appreciative; and Daniel Mays as Sid, Vera and Stan's son, who even though he loves his mother ends up having conflicting emotions upon her arrest and subsequent confession.

Mike Leigh has an unbelievable ability to construct honest and heartfelt characters that the viewer can connect and sympathize with, all while keeping the characters, themselves, from being pitiful.

For an abortion movie? It's pretty funny.

A striking character-driven story about a woman at odds with society's norms yet clinging to her own moral compass. Imelda Staunton is harrowing.

Holy shit... An abortion film that, while being emotionally naked and formally astonishing, provides authenticity and audacity to further either sides of the cause, without feeling "nice" for a second. I think it might be a masterpiece.

http://cinemalacrum.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-help-girls-out-vera-drake-2004.html

Vera Drake is ordinary 1950s housewife who puts her family first and helps out the neighbours when she can, She also carries backroom abortions , Mike Leighs intelligent look at the abortion issue and the class system ,

A quiet film about a cheerful woman who gives women abortions. It has little to do with "the abortion question" and it has everything to do with character, and family and what justice really is.

Very interesting and well done film. I really felt for the main character and that's mostly because of Imelda Staunton's performance. She was excellent.

Exceptionally powerful in its script, direction, and performances, especially from leading lady Imelda Staunton, who gives one of the best female performances of the decade.

A powerful film experience that was quite difficult to watch. Imelda Staunton's performance is absolutely brilliant.

For an abortion movie? It's pretty funny.

Damn you Mike Leigh!

You, more so than any other director, have the ability to put my heart and emotions through the wringer. Once again! It's the equivalent of listening to StoryCorps on Friday mornings on my way to work - They always make me well up.

Leigh's film, like always, features amazing, tender and honest performances. Whether it be Imelda Staunton as Vera Drake, quite possibly the most thoughtful, selfless and good-natured woman put on screen; or Philip Davis as Vera's husband, Stan, loving, supportive and always grateful and appreciative; and Daniel Mays as Sid, Vera and Stan's son, who even though he loves his mother ends up having conflicting emotions upon her arrest and subsequent confession.

Mike Leigh has an unbelievable ability to construct honest and heartfelt characters that the viewer can connect and sympathize with, all while keeping the characters, themselves, from being pitiful.

Imelda Staunton will make you cry. She's basically the opposite of her character from Harry Potter.