Vera Drake (2004)

Wife. Mother. Criminal.

Original Title :	Vera Drake
Director :	Mike Leigh
Writer :	Mike Leigh
Genre :	Drama
	Crime
Country :	UK France New Zealand
Language :	English
Producer :	Simon Channing-Williams , Gail Egan , Christine Gozlan , Robert Jones (IV) , Georgina Lowe , Duncan Reid , Alain Sarde
Music :	Andrew Dickson (I)
Photography :	Dick Pope
MPAA Rating :	Rated R for depiction of strong thematic material.
IMDB ID :	0383694
Official site :	http://www.veradrake.com/
	Search Subtitles on opensubtitles.org

poster for "Vera Drake" by Mike Leigh (2004)

Vera Drake (2004) - Mike Leigh

Starring

Imelda Staunton		Vera
Richard Graham		I
Eddie Marsan		Reg
		Nellie
		Ethel
		Sid
		Stan (as Phil Davis
		Mrs Wells
Sally Hawkins		Susan
Simon Chandler		Mr Wells
Sam Troughton		David
Marion Bailey		Mrs Fowler
Sandra Voe		Vera's mother
Chris O'Dowd		Sid's customer
Adrian Scarborough		Frank
Heather Craney		Joyce
		Very young woman
Sid Mitchell		I
		Ronny
Gerard Monaco		Kenny
Ruth Sheen		Lily
Tilly Vosburgh		Mother of Seven
		Sick Husband
Heather Louise Cameron		Child (as Heather Cameron
Billie Cook		Child
		Child
Nina Fry		Dance Hall Girl
Lauren Holden		Dance Hall Girl
Elizabeth Berrington		Cynical Lady
Emma Amos		Cynical Lady
Fenella Woolgar		Susan's Confidante
Joanna Griffiths		Peggy
Wendy Nottingham		Ivy
Nicky Henson		Private Doctor
		Psychiatrist
Angie Wallis		Nurse Willoughby
Judith Scott		III
Vinette Robinson		Jamaican Girl
Rosie Cavaliero		Married Woman
Lesley Sharp		Jessie Barnes
Liz White		III
Anthony O'Donnell		Mr. Walsh
Lucy Pleasance		Sister Coombes
		Nurse
		Det. Inspector Webster
Martin Savage		Det. Sergeant Vickers
Helen Coker		WPC Best
Tom Ellis		II
Robert Putt		Station Sergeant
Craig Conway		Station Constable
Jake Wood		Ruffian
Vincent Franklin		Mr. Lewis
Michael Gunn		I
Paul Jesson		Magistrate's Clerk
Paul Raffield		Judge
		Judge
Philip Childs		Prosecution Barrister
Jeffrey Wickham		Defense Barrister (as Jeffry Wickham
Nicholas Jones		I
Stephan Dunbar		Prisoner
Angela Curran		Prisoner
Jane Wood		II
Eileen Davies		Prison Officer
David House		II

Plot

Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel.

Comments

One observation: When the police arrive at the home of Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton) to confront her about the allegation that she has been conducting illegal abortions, she and her family are celebrating her daughter's engagement. When the cops enter the room, the camera freezes on Vera's face. Over the course of about 45 seconds in which she doesn't say a word, Staunton's face registers every possible emotion: Joy, confusion, concern, fear, disgust, anger, guilt. It's heart-racing just to watch, and it's what acting -- great acting at least -- is all about. Staunton's is the one female performance of the year not to miss. (On the men's side, check out Morgan Freeman in MILLION DOLLAR BABY.)

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Vera Drake (2004) - Mike Leigh

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Vera Drake (2004) - Mike Leigh

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