One Word Movie

Cup of Tea, darling?

Biscuit? Or maybe a nice hot cup of tea?

The BBFC classifies Vera Drake as a 12A, advising of an Abortion Theme. It should also caution that the film contains Strong Scenes of Knitwear Horror, and Excessive Tea Use. There must be at least 150 cups of tea in this movie. Nice warm brews occur with approximately the same frequency as the interjection fuck you, you fuck in Goodfellas.

Mike Leigh manages to make the 1950s seem extremely grim, and many of the working class characters look like peasants out of Brueghel paintings about the black death. Just as well then that Vera's on the scene, dispensing cups of tea or procuring abortions alike, the smile never fading from her stuttering gnome's face.

A lot has been said about Imelda Staunton's performance in this film, but personally I wasn't too keen on it. Before she gets nicked she's all fake-cheery (lovely drizzle, isn't it, cup of tea?), afterwards she's overtaken by a distress so profound she can hardly bring herself to articulate words. A little bit like Mr White in Reservoir Dogs when he finds out that Mr Orange is really PC Plod. But fortunately the supporting cast are fantastic, especially Vera's husband, Richard Graham. There's an amazing scene in the police station, beautifully shot, where he simply listens to Vera. Well done him.

The film doesn't try to lecture you on what you should be feeling about abortion. I did read an article by a real 50s midwife in the Guardian that said that real back-street abortionists were far shadier characters, more like quack surgeons. With that in mind, it seems disingenuous of Mike Leigh, to mitigate Vera's crime, but accurately depict the punishment.

There is also a lack of moral reflection in Vera's character, which brings to mind that cliche about the banality of evil. According to the 50s midwife, Vera's m.o. was extremely dangerous, and often fatal. So, if she had been maiming and killing her way across the N1 postal district of London, what would her defence have been? I'm sorry your honour, I was too stupid to think about the consequences of my actions, cup of tea? I wonder if that's what Mark Thatcher's going to say when he stands up in an African courtroom: I only thought I was helping little countries out.

Vera Drake is a Good film, but it's not especially entertaining. Don't drive your car to the cinema, because you'll want a couple of pints afterwards. Or a nice cup of tea.

posted by Chairman Peyote @ 3:58 AM