Philomena (2013)

Even if the film eventually forces a singular perspective on the material, the actors' chemistry absolves any number of narrative sins.

Frears, in fine form at 72, has proved himself a modest master at juggling the serious and the silly in such actors' showcases as The Queen and Tamara Drewe; and the script by Coogan and Jeff Pope, brims with bright dialogue.

A howl of anti-clerical outrage wrapped in a tea cozy, "Philomena" applies amusing banter and a sheen of good taste to the real-life quest of Philomena Lee.

A human-interest story that claims spite for human-interest stories, the film has some pretty divisive issues at its core that leave it torn between contrasting approaches.

The film sometimes feels harshly edited, zipping through serious scenes with an emphasis on sentimentality. But it still wins us over.

Dench is as poignantly controlled here as she was in Notes on a Scandal.

Why does it work quite so well? In part, it's the Dench effect.

Judi Dench deals in levels of sadness that could draw tears from a boulder. Yet the film also manages to be one of the funniest odd-couple comedies in recent decades.

Superbly directed, powerfully emotional British drama with a witty, warm-hearted script and a pair of pitch-perfect performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

What makes Philomena so winning is the sophisticated way in which it condemns the behaviour of the Catholic Church without denigrating people of faith - a delicate tightrope act that has given plenty of more high-minded films vertigo.

Dench is simply marvellous in the title role of this moving film, wringing it dry of every ounce of poignancy, and of comedy, too.

Judi Dench plays Philomena with great heart, perfectly capturing the indomitable spirit of a loveable Irish mama. So despite winning great acclaim playing Queen Elizabeth,Queen Victoria and M, Philomena feels like the part she was born to play.

Odd-couple chemistry from Dench and Coogan, a smart script and honed direction make this real-life story highly compelling. Blending comedy and tragedy, it secretes a potent sting.