Vera Drake (2004)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Abortion became legal in the UK 1968. As David Steel, sponsor of the private member's bill that became the legalising act of Parliament, wisely pointed out 'abortion did not begin in 1968'. Women have always limited the number of babies they choose to have. It was just that before 1968 these methods were illegal and often horrific. The method practised by Vera Drake in this film, pouring soapy water into the womb to terminate the pregnancy, was a popular one. It was effective and generally safe. Generally not always. Other methods used by women included drinking a bottle of whisky and rolling down the stairs. Women would push knitting needles into their wombs and similar horrors. Their desperation to abort was such. Surely no-one wants a return to this? Heterosexual women have every right to an active sex life and to limit the number of children they have. As the film points out for the rich and well-connected there were always doctors willing to perform safe if illegal abortions for money. It was always the poor but no less sexually active and fertile women who had to resort to women like Vera Drake. The struggle for women's reproductive rights continues and the hysterical anti-abortionists have not given up in the least. (They are not 'Pro-life', they are pro-death penalty, pro-nuclear weapons, pro-war in almost any form.) Women are not mere breeding machines for men despite some reactionary men wishing they were. A slogan once went "If men became pregnant abortion would be a sacrament." Every child should be a wanted child. There is no shortage of unwanted babies needing parents to adopt them. Indeed there is an oversupply. The natural sex drive of the young is such that there will always be some unwanted pregnancies although hopefully less and less as sex education becomes more widespread and contraceptives more readily available, but always some. Hence there will always be a need for safe free and legal abortions, hopefully as early as possible in the pregnancy. We should all be grateful to Mike Leigh for this thoughtful film reminding us of the bad old days which surely no sensible people would wish us to return to.

I've only seen a few Mike Leigh films, and have pretty much liked all of them (his last recent four, and I've liked them more and more with each newer film). So ranking his last four, this is my least favorite of his. It's probably his bleakest in terms of pure melodrama. Like in his other films, a big reason this works is because of Imelda Staunton. She does some powerful work here, although at times she plays things a little too slight. Overall, it's a very good performance, great even, but sort of disappointing after all of the hype and acclaim. overall, this is very much recommended, even if it doesn't build itself as coherently as I would've wanted. Still worth a watch.

In a film of pitch-perfect, seemingly effortless performances, Imelda Staunton is the center piece, and her fantastic performance allows this heart-wrenching story to fall into place. Mike Leigh's "Vera Drake," is an engrossing drama about a down-to-earth woman performing backstreet abortions in 50's London. After a tentative opening during which the film's tone is established, the film becomes a subtle examination of a simple woman caught up in a complex world.Adored by her husband Stan (Phil Davis), and children Sid (Daniel Mays) and Ethel (Alex Kelly), she manages to be both the cornerstone of her family, and a highly thought of pillar of the community. She also performs illegal abortions for "girls who are in trouble," a service she does for free and without her family's knowledge. When one of the abortions goes wrong, however, Vera's secret life comes to the attention of the police. Detective Inspector Webster does his duty by arresting her, but we can see in his eyes that it pains him to perform it in this case.There is a magical cinematic moment in the film where Leigh's camera literally zooms in on Vera's face and stays there. Her face is like a canvas, and at the beginning it shows a woman of limited intelligence who has found contentment in her life's routine. By the end, there is terror, bewilderment, and panic. It's at that moment, the changes in her expression, and the ways in which her eyes react--is the crowning moment of "Vera Drake,' and to be remembered. "Vera Drake" is vintage Leigh, relying more so on the actors than the storyline. There's a lot of improvisation and all of the actors make contributions. The result is a sense of authenticity that makes this film so intense. "Vera Drake" moves at a slower pace, turning off many viewers, and making it difficult to fully appreciate it's impact. For those who have the patience to become absorbed in this kind of drama, "Vera Drake" offers a stunningly real character portrait whose impression will linger long after the movie has faded.

What's especially amazing about Mike Leigh's slice of life films is his attention to detail. Detail in the way they look (art direction, lighting, cinematography...), detail in the actor's interaction (acting, writing) and the treatment of the script. Very few directors can create such authentic piece of life. His stories are about the common working citizen and one can easily relate to all the people he introduces us to. There is something unique about these people.Set in post-war 50's London, Leigh introduces us to Vera Drake, a working class citizen. 'Makes her living by cleaning people's houses, she's a homemaker, takes care of her family, takes care of her ailing mother and takes care of girls in trouble. She lives in a tiny crowded little apartment with her husband and two grown-up children. Yet, they're a happy family, content with what they have. Vera smiles through it all and even in the harshest circumstance she remains the kind soul that she always has been.The washed out colours and slightly dimmed light bring out the post-war look. The sets and costumes look very real. The score is subtle and effective. The editing is very good.Imelda Staunton delivers a transcendent performance. It's one of the greatest and most natural performances by an actress. Staunton completely embodies Vera. It's difficult to tell whether Staunton was just being herself or playing a character. Her performance could serve as a source of education for aspiring actors.She is supported by a cast of amazing actors who are brilliant. Alex Kelly is great as the shy and quiet daughter. Daniel Mays, Richard Graham, Philip Davis and Eddie Marsan are wonderful. Sally Hawkins does a fine job too in a brief role.The theme of abortion plays a key theme and it does raise questions but this isn't an issue based abortion film. Class distinction is also a key element and kindness plays an important part. No matter what difficulties Vera is confronted with, she deals with it through kindness.'Vera Drake' is Mike Leigh and Imelda Staunton's triumph.