Philomena ****

This is the true story of Philomena Lee (Judy Dench) and her search for her son, who she gave up fifty years earlier when she was an young unwed mother taken in by a convent in Ireland. Well-known television reporter Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), casting about for an assignment, becomes interested in her "human interest" story. And so begins the search for lost Anthony, a search that will take them to the United States, into the secrets of Washington, D.C. and the highest levels of government, with an outcome neither thought possible.

Dench is so grounded and true to her character that you feel you've known her for years. She richly deserves the recognition that will come from this role. Coogan, who has a producing and writing credit as well as the prime mover role, is at the top of his game. He has seldom looked better or been more convincing as the jaded journalist who becomes determined, sometimes despite himself, to ferret out what really happened and bring Philomena some closure. It's a very satisfying and emotional motion picture.