Philomena - anyone seen the film?

[5Foot5]

I got this for Christmas and I just finished reading it. I am just curious to hear from anyone who has read the book and seen the film to see how different they are or which angle they take in the film.

I have seen the preview for it at the cinema and assumed that given Judi Dench is playing the title role that she would feature very heavily in the film. However, in the book you only really encounter the older Philomena at the very end.

[storynanny]

I saw the film first and loved it, it is amazing. Judi DEnch is featured throughout.
I read the book afterwards and was disappointed. The book is mainly about American politics and the story of the son, whereas the film focuses more on the mother.
I bought the book hoping to read more about how Philomena coped during the years between giving up her baby and searching for him later in life.

[hollyisalovelyname]

I haven't read the book but the film is great- very funny but poignant.

[hackmum]

I saw the film first, then read the book. The film is largely a work of fiction and is mostly about a trip that Martin Sixsmith and Philomena take to the US to find out what has happened to the son (this never happened in real life). Film is quite enjoyable.

I thought the book as awful - full of creaky, made-up dialogue that Sixsmith couldn't possibly have been privy to. Also I really wanted to know the story of what happened to Michael/Anthony's sister and whether she ever traced her birth mother - in the film she is portrayed slightly unsympathetically but I think that is largely for the purpose of dramatic tension.

[googlyeyes]

I absolutely loved the film...tender and funny, and superbly acted.

The book was awful! It should have been called Michael for a start, as it was essentially a biography of Philomena's son. And as said above, it feels completely inauthentic because a lot if it must be complete conjecture. Plus I'm really not interested in American constituency boundaries and the other elements of US politics/ law that are heavily featured.

In short I felt completely fecking cheated!!

[walkdowntheavenue]

I too felt the book was awful! I felt it almost bypassed the sons successes in life and focused on his sexuality and going to sex clubs. Very disappointing and really turned me off the movie, glad to hear they are different

[hollyisalovelyname]

Walked do see the film. It really is great. Judi Dench terrific in it...... so real... portraying an Irish emigrant in the U. K. ....... but then again I think her Mum may have been Irish.

[hollyisalovelyname]

So Judy Dench has been nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Philomena. Yay!
I don't think she has a hope of winning though - not because she doesn't deserve it, just that she is up against big budget American films.
I might put a fiver on her, just in case, sadly........the kiss of death

[Joy5]

Loved the film and whoever thought up Steve Coogan for the role of Martin Sixsmith is a genius! First time i'd seen him play an unfunny role.

Judy Dench as always is outstanding.

[ElizaCBennett]

Loved, loved the film. Finding the book at bit hard going to be honest.

[peevishcleavage]

Saw the film first, loved it. Very disappointed in the book, which focussed almost entirely on Anthony/Mike (the son) and was written in very cheesy and annoying prose. Not a recommended read but a brilliant movie.