April 16, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 25 Philomena goes in search of a son after 50 years Corinne’s visits to the children become less frequent and they wonder if she has abandoned them. This film improves over a previous, 1987 film version, in that it addresses the book’s development of a sexual (continued on page 28) by Dennis Seuling “Philomena” (Anchor Bay) stars Judi Dench as title character Philomena Lee who, as an unmarried teenager in 1950s Ireland, was forced to give up her son for adop- tion after giving birth to him in a Catholic abbey. Journal- ist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) accompanies on her journey to discover what happened to her son. As Philomena’s story unfolds, Sixsmith rages at the veritable slavery she was forced to endure when her family turned her out. Amazingly, she has retained her faith not only in God, but also in the Catholic religion. As the woman’s quest takes the two back to the institution where she spent so much time, the two main characters exchange their views on faith. Dench elevates this tale into an actor’s tour-de-force. She makes the title character a real individual, avoiding clichés and sentimentality. Philomena’s ability not to carry bitterness throughout her life is remarkable to Sixsmith, whose anger grows the more he learns about her youth and her treatment at the abbey. Beautifully co-written by Coogan and Jeff Pope, the film is a moving testament to the power of faith in the face of terrible cruelty. The Blu-ray edition contains a digital copy, conversa- tion with Dench, a profile of the real Philomena Lee, a Q&A session with Coogan, and commentary by the writ- ers. This release is also available on DVD. “Flowers in the Attic” (Lionsgate) is based on a gothic novel about four siblings who are torn from their peace- ful life after the death of their father. Cathy Dollanganger (Kiernan Shipka) is a pre-teen when her perfect life in 1950s suburbia is shattered by her father’s fatal accident. Unable to keep the family afloat on her own, her mother, Corinne (Heather Graham), tells her children they will journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) and Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) set out on an unusual quest in ‘Philomena.’ be moving in with a grandmother the kids never knew existed. Corinne’s mother, Olivia (Ellen Burstyn), turns out to be the granny from Hell. She confines Cathy and her three siblings to a single bedroom with an adjacent attic, the only other room they are permitted to enter. Cathy is unhappy with this severe arrangement, but elder brother Christopher (Mason Dye) sides with his mother, believing their living situation is merely tempo- rary and things will soon improve. But as time passes,