Vera Drake
2004
****
Director: Mike Leigh
Cast: Imelda Staunton, Phil Davis, Daniel Mays, Lesley Manville, Peter Wight
Vera Drake works as a housekeeper and takes great care of her family and friends, but also performs illegal abortions in 1950s England. Mike Leigh creates a wonderful sense of time, place and community in this heart-wrenching drama, which doesn't really take sides on the issue but merely shows what the reality was. Imelda Staunton stands out in the demanding leading role but, to be honest, the entire cast is excellent.
