Oscars 2014: Ranking Best Pictures From Worst To Best
9. Philomena
While Philomena being slotted at #9 isnt surprising anyone reading this, that isnt to say its a bad film. Its actually a pretty fantastic film that is unfortunately being overlooked in favour of the more approachable and marketed nominations. The film stars Judi Dench as an elderly woman named Philomena, who comes to a mental crossroad and decides to seek out her long-lost son, instead of locking up his existence inside her - who was taken from her and sold to America by nuns; strict nuns that clearly feel early pregnancy out of wedlock is a sin beyond redemption. Philomena receives assistance in the form of an atheist journalist brilliantly played an against-type Steve Coogan. Together they not only crack the case, but explore each others values and beliefs. It can come across overly sentimental at times, but theres also a lot of interesting subtext to example regardless of your stance on religion. Philomenas only real flaw is its unfaithfulness to the true version of the story, instead opting for a movie that feels intentionally crafted to pull at your heart strings rather than going about it naturally. The core of the story is still fascinating and downright shocking, escalated by two amazing lead performances.
