Philomena, 3.5 Stars

This is an excellent film. The story flows well - it flags in the middle a little, but perhaps that is only because it appears that the 'plot' has stalled.

There is a wide ranging cast, many of whom I wasn't familiar with. Dame Judi Dench (007 series, Chocolat, etc) delivers a superb performance - is there a movie in which she does not? Steve Coogan (whom I had not remembered was in the Night(s) at the Museum) plays a good, straight and sometimes passionate foil to Dench's character. They are 80-90% of the story and their chemistry is a natural one.

There are twists and turns and the film is not without emotion - I'd see it again to re-trace the 'thread' of the story.