Kirpianuscus she does one of the most beautiful roles of her career in this film. with rare grace, with admirable force, giving strange explanation to her character's job. a film about a delicate theme in a manner who not accuse or excuse. portrait of a woman and her expression of compassion. not soft, not moralistic, not brutal. only precise and honest. the story of Vera Drake has the gift not only present the attitude of British society about an occupation who is tolerated in silence but about social status of middle working class. a film about a strange form of Christian love. useful for reflect about verdicts and options. and interesting to define each of them. because it is more than a biographic movie. and that is one of its high virtues.

kevjfarrell I am a big fan of Mike Leigh's work, he has directed some very good movies covering a wide range of subjects. Whilst the concept of this movie is very good, I have a few problems with the central character. The portrayal of Vera Drake doesn't come across as believable to me. I'm well aware that there were back-street abortionists during these times, but this woman's character as a very meek and mild home-maker who is known in her community for helping out elderly and infirm family members, doesn't come across as someone who would know how to perform this act, and also do it in a way that was as normal as preparing a meal for her family. Despite that, the film does have a lot of merit. There is the distinction of how somebody who comes from a good social background can get the abortion performed in a proper clinical way - so long as you can afford the money. Vera performs hers on people who have next to no money and during a time when there wasn't much in the way of Social Security. It portrays an era very well. She keeps her 'work' hidden from her family and when it is discovered it has a devastating effect on all of them. Despite my misgivings, this movie is definitely worth a watch. A gritty drama set in the 50's/60's.

Red_Identity 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.

jan-102-399121 Of course the story is meant to make a point - and it does - namely that the post war era in class-riven England was harsh, judgmental and hypocritical. To make the point even more striking, Vera and her family are honest, hardworking, loving and understanding working class people. Helping people is what Vera does - whatever she's doing - even helping girls who have 'got themselves in the family way' - a lovely euphemism that lets the man responsible off the hook. Mike Leigh's genius makes us feel the cramped, warmth of her family home. His England is a place of small rooms and dark alleyways contrasted with the odd cold palatial room of the off-hand upper-class women Vera works for. My only question is about Ethel? Why was she such a droop? With that gentle, loving family, who produced a bright, bouncy independent son - surely she should have had a little bit of backbone. But then she had the wonderful Sid - so she won't need it. A beautiful film - you will cry - so bring your tissues. Wonderful characters (Ethel perhaps excepted) - and a brilliant production.