movie of the day

vera drake a mike leigh film staring imelda staunton. actually the entire cast was amazing from the daughter ethel, to the son sid, to the husband, his brother and sister in law and the neighbor reg. again, NO car chases or julias or angelinas or brads or toms or jennifers in it. no smarmy crap. a REAL story with REAL (appearing of course) characters. people you actually cared about. it takes place in 1950 britain, christmas time. vera is a caretaker; of her family, her neighbors, the world. she is also a cleaning woman for wealthy women who sit home and apply lipstick. unbenownst to her family, she helps women have miscarriages if they cannot care for a (or another) child. she does this with NO remuneration and no qualms - she KNOWS she is doing the right thing. these women cannot afford to have an abortion by a doctor (by contrast that procedure is also played out by the daughter of one of the wealthy women who's home vera cleans). i highly recommend this film. it is NOT a happy one though. be aware of that.