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Vera Drake Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 5.0
    83

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Universal acclaim
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The strength of Leigh's film is that it is not a message picture, but a deep and true portrait of these lives.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    Variety David Rooney

    Mike Leigh is at the peak of his powers with Vera Drake, a compassionate, morally complex drama that stands easily alongside his best work, "Secrets & Lies" and "Topsy-Turvy."

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Stunning and compassionate period drama.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    This is the kind of people-driven story that the movies used to give us - before special effects took over.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    As lovely and heartbreaking as Staunton is to watch, there's something about Leigh's attachment to his politics that leaches some complexity from the experience

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    It's difficult to think of another recent film so seamlessly rendered or that envelops an audience so completely in its period authenticity.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    The English director Mike Leigh's best work in a decade.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    As an evocation of English working-class life half a century ago, it feels utterly authentic, and is ennobled -- not too strong a word, I think -- by Imelda Staunton's performance in the title role.

  • See all Vera Drake reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

not for kids

Tender, quality presentation of touchy subject.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie is about a woman who performs illegal abortions in 1950s England. She is shown as very loving and caring for her family and everyone around her. The abortions are described as "helping out" young women. Her illegal activity brings heavy consequences both for her and her family. Also, a man forces himself onto a woman who later gets pregnant. Another woman climbs on top of her husband in bed with the intent of having sex and getting pregnant. Nothing sexual or abortion-related is shown or spoken about graphically.

  • Families can talk about the movie's moral complexities and the issue of abortion. Is Vera right in her choice to "help young girls?" What message do you think the director wanted viewers to walk away with?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: This movie centers on a woman performing illegal abortions in the spirit of helping out.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: One scene of a man forcing himself upon a woman.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Discussion of pregnancy and abortion, but nothing explicit is said or shown.

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking, and a rapist in one scene is drunk.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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