Imelda Staunton: "Just put on the kettle, dear"

"Put the kettle on, dear, and spread this towel out on the bed. Now lie back."

These are simple, comforting instructions from someone like Vera, who does not accept money for the task she performs and barely stops humming as she assists younger and older women of the lower-middle class and below to "get out of trouble." Still, their experience of abortion contrasts sharply with that of Susan, the daughter of Vera's employer, who takes care of a date-rape mishap with the help of nurses, a doctor and a psychiatrist's note.

Vera is enjoying an evening with her family when the bobbies come for her and she is set on trial to "set an example." Vera, however, insists that she never accepted money for her activities, and repeatedly ascribes them to a simple factor: She wanted to help other women.

Vera's motivations are so simple and straightforward that in the hands of another filmmaker, they could have backfired. Instead, her altruism is not only believable, but propels us toward a devastating finale: something Mike Leigh clearly has on his mind.

XPress Is it a coincidence or a machination that this film came out at this time-just when the president of the United States wouldn't look into a television camera and say he wouldn't try to overturn Roe vs. Wade?

Mike Leigh No, it was absolutely intentional. When I got the idea to do the film, it was a couple of years ago, and I realized it would come out about now. No accident at all.

XPress Yet, somehow in your hands, a loaded political issue becomes fundamentally a story about people. It really isn't a harangue on any level.

Leigh Well, that's the trick, isn't it? I do tend to make films instinctively about how I feel about things, and go from there; in a sense I have always been making films about the things that preoccupy me: having kids, the decision to have kids, families, love, sex... class.

XPress You seem to have a particular affinity for the things that preoccupy women-or that are said to preoccupy women more than men, anyway.

Leigh I make films about people, and that includes women. I suppose on a level apart form that, I am indeed motivated to provide good roles for actresses [of a certain age] who don't get that much of a look in.

XPress One accusation often levelled at you is that you make films that preach to the choir. Like, that your films only appeal to middle-class, college-educated left-leaners. I personally think that is insanely stupid... Michael Moore preaches to the choir.

Leigh I make films for anybody, as films could and should be. I do not only make films for the kind of people who are in my films, I think anybody can relate to my films. That's what I hope. The implication that I am only appealing to a certain audience... I think it's a tremendously stupid, insulting thing that does not really bear responding to. If that is the case, I have failed.

 
 

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VERA DRAKE is an excellent choice to make if you have the courage for it     We all have a position on abortion, I have mine and I'm sure you have yours, I'm not sure that any movie--no matter how powerful--can ever truly change whatever that is but if this movie manages to spur people on to stop sticking their heads in the ground and realize that this is not something that's going away anytime soon then I'd say that this movie has already accomplished something even if never gets that almighty Oscar nod. Whatever impact Leigh hopesd to have on the American election is now moot as ol' W has secured another four years to further sink the world into his gutter. If ever there was an argument for abortion all one need do is look towards George W. Bush. Anyways... This film is one of those rare handlings of a serious and controverial topic that doesn't play up the melodrama or blatantly try to sway you. Yes, this movie has a point of view but it doesn't try to pummel you with it. You're free to embrace or reject what this movie has to say on the topic but frankly, rejecting this movie's stand is going to be very hard given the stellar and Oscar worthy performance of Imelda Staunton as the titular protagonist VERA DRAKE. Imelda Staunton imbues her character with humanity, quiet strenght and an everyday quality that transforms VERA DRAKE into someone that we all feel we know and not some TV movie-of-the-week martyr. Leigh's deft handling of the material along with the dead on cast makes this one powerful cinematic experience. Other directors might have played up all the wrong but obvious moments to better sell the movie but Leigh showed restraint and respect for the material, the subject matter and the audience's intelligence. Don't like mixing politics with your movies? Well, I'm sure you can find something out there that'll allow you to keep living in denial but if you want cinema with meaning and purpose you could do a hell of a lot worse than VERA DRAKE.
Pedro Eggers	{27 votes}	November 4th, 2004
The images of this movie will linger long after the movie has ended !     This film traces the trajectory of Vera Drake who has carved out a life for herself and by herself! A time, right after World War II, when people could barely manage to feed their own children, Vera Drake would do housecleaning to get by. As a volunteer, and for the help of many women, Vera Drake will perform "amateur" abortions. Not only she meant to help other women, but she was trying to save young girls lifes by doing " a job" that otherwise would have been BADLY done by these young and older women themselves" This movie offers a stunningly reality! An humble woman trying to help her peers, it is the sort of movie whose image will linger long after the movie has ended. If you saw the movie "the story of woman" of Claude Chabrol, you'll know exactly what I have been talking about!
Valerie Augier	{7 votes}	November 8th, 2004
A real masterpiece!!     One of the best films I've seen in a long time. Vera performs an abortion, gets caught and goes to jail. This movie addresses an issue which is still very hot, morally and politically. Imelda Staunton's portrayal of a 50s working class housewife is so good, I was overcome with emotion and ached in my heart for her and her family.
Jessika Sévigny		November 15th, 2004
Vera Drake a.k.a. Florence Nightingale     Notwithstanding one's feelings about abortion, Mike Leigh has most definitely succeeded in his efforts to portray the very strong Vera Drake as a godsend in an era of hopeless despair. I could not help but think of Florence Nightingale. Clearly, when the bobbies come for her and she is to be put to trial for her efforts she is on her way to martyrdom.
Larry Garnett	{4 votes}	November 9th, 2004
Does Anybody Remember Vera (Lynn) Drake?     It is very easy to get pregnant...for many. During the era of this film there were far fewer options in terms of birth control. Vera Drake is a revolutionary offering "choice" to so many with so few resources. Life was harder, the society more conservative and stigma greater. Bravo Vera! A figure who could tell those picketers on Bank Street that therapeutic abortions and DNCs have nothing to do with Auschwitz.
Skeleton James	{7 votes}	November 6th, 2004

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