# Philomena (film)

Philomena is a 2013 film about a world-weary political journalist who picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.
    Directed by Stephen Frears. Written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith.

## Philomena Lee

* I did not abandon my child, he was taken away from me.
* I forgive you because I don't want to remain angry.

## Martin Sixsmith

* I don't believe in God, and I think He knows.

## Dialogue

    Doctor: You're depressed.
    Martin: Well I got the sack. I'm unemployed.
    Doctor: Yes, but that wasn't your fault, was it?
    Martin: That's why I'm depressed.
    Martin: Philomena, how are you?
    Philomena: I had a hip replacement last year, Martin, titanium, so it won't rust.
    Martin: Otherwise I'd have to oil you like the tin man
    Philomena: Is that right?
    Martin: Oh no!
    Jane: He's just joking, mom.
    Philomena: I only want to know if he's all right.
    Martin: Perhaps these older nuns can help us with some of the details.
    Sister: I don't think that's going to be possible… You're a journalist.
    Martin: I used to be.
    Philomena: Martin's a Roman Catholic.
    Martin: Yes, well no, I used to be.
    Martin: My guess is that Anthony was adopted and sent to America.
    Philomena: I think I would like to go. I'd like to know if Anthony ever thought of me. I thought of him everyday.
    Martin: Shall we go for a walk? Get rid of the jet lag? You said you wanted to visit the Lincoln Memorial.
    Philomena: We could go and see Mr. Lincoln or we could watch on television 'Big Momma's House.' It's about a little black man pretending to be a fat black lady. They just showed some of it on the television and they'll all chasing after him. It looked hilarious, Martin!
    Philomena: Who's this fellow?
    Marcia: That's his friend Pete.
    Philomena: And were you his girlfriend, Marcia?
    Marcia: No, I don't know if you knew but he was gay. I used to accompany him when he used to go to official functions because being gay was frowned on in the Republican Party. But he was very charming and charismatic.
    Philomena: Tell me, did he father any children?
    Martin: Philomena, Marcia has just told us that Anthony was gay.
    Philomena: Well I always knew that but I just wondered if he might be bi-curious.
    Martin: Bi-curious?
    Philomena: A lot of the nurses I worked with were gay but one of them called Brenden told me he was bi-curious. I don't think he could make up his mind, Marcia.
    Marcia: He didn't have any children. I'm sorry.
    Philomena: Now we're getting closer, all these years wondering if Anthony was in trouble or prison or goodness knows where. But as long as I didn't know I could always tell myself he was happy somewhere and that he was doing all right.
    Martin: Don't upset yourself.
    Philomena: What if he was obese?
    Martin: Obese?
    Philomena: I watched this documentary that says a lot of Americans are huge. What if that happened to him?
    Martin: What on earth makes you think he'd be obese?
    Philomena: Because of the size of the portions!
    Mary: And that's him with Pete Olsson. Mike and Pete were…
    Philomena: That's all right, Mary. I know Anthony was a gay homosexual and we met Marcia who I believe was his beard. Is that right, Martin?
    Martin: Yes, that's about right.
    Philomena: Must have been terrible, having to keep it a secret his whole life.
    Martin: I always wondered why God kills hundreds of thousands of people everyday. You should ask him about that while you're in there. He would probably say, he moves in mysterious ways.
    Philomena: [angry] No, I think, he'd say you are a fucking idiot.
    Sister Hildegarde: The Lord Jesus Christ will be my judge - not the likes of you.
    Martin Sixsmith: Really? Because I think if Jesus was here right now he'd tip you out of that fucking wheelchair - and you wouldn't get up and walk.
    Philomena: Sister Hildegarde, I want you to know that I forgive you.
    Martin Sixsmith: What? Just like that?
    Philomena: Its not 'just like that'... it's hard. That's hard for me. But I don't want to hate people. I don't want to be like you... Look at you.
    Martin Sixsmith: I'm angry.
    Philomena: Must be exhausting.

## Taglines

* These two unlikely companions are on a journey to find her long lost son.
* BASED ON THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY
* The highly acclaimed new comedy from director Stephen Frears

## Cast

* Judi Dench - Philomena Lee
* Steve Coogan - Martin Sixsmith
* Barbara Jefford - Sister Hildegarde
* Sophie Kennedy Clark - Young Philomena
* Kate Fleetwood - Young Sister Hildegarde
* Mare Winningham - Mary
* Michelle Fairley - Sally Mitchell
* Ruth McCabe - Mother Barbara
* Anna Maxwell Martin - Jane
* Peter Hermann - Pete Olson
* Simone Lahbib - Kate Sixsmith
* Amy McAllister - Sister Anunciata
* Cathy Belton - Sister Claire
* Wunmi Mosaku as Young Nun (modern era)
* Sean Mahon - Michael Hess

## External links

* Philomena quotes at the Internet Movie Database
* Philomena at Rotten Tomatoes
* The Official Philomena Site