Film Preview: Philomena (2013)

Poster

Trailer Link

Release Date:

November 22, 2013

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman’s search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.”

Poster: C / C+

Review: There’s not a lot of physical difference between these two designs. Both use the indie-yellow as a background color without any desire for a richness in detail to the background. The first poster has a more playful font, which may confuse audiences when they later watch the trailer (or if they’ve seen it first). The film has comedic elements, but the trailer is clearly a drama. The second design keeps a more jovial atmosphere with Judi Dench smiling, but it’s a bit less ebullient than the first feels.

Trailer: B-

Review: When you hear about a film before you see the trailer, you can’t help but be disappointed that it doesn’t nearly as good as it’s been talked about being. The trailer showcases the road trip aspect of the film along with its humor but doesn’t go anywhere else; however, it doesn’t give away the twist I’ve heard the end of the film brings, so that’s a positive sign.

Oscar Prospects:

Word out of the festivals is that this is a heavily emotional film that will appeal to a broad demographic and, on top of that, may signal another nomination for its star Judi Dench. Some talk has even emerged of it becoming a Best Picture nomination contender. The trailer doesn’t make that seem like such a foregone conclusion, but reviews might change that outlook.