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Like the doctor, Vera also performs abortions (though she would not utter that word), but she exists in a world of denial that allows her to live without entering the moral debates. She never talks about her work. Her interactions with her girls are polite and pleasant, but also detached and perfunctory.

Unlike the doctor, Vera seems ignorant of modern asepsis. She is very clean and tidy, but her operations are far from sterile. Eventually, one of Vera's girls becomes violently ill and is on death's door before she is taken to the hospital. Here begins the true morality tale, but we're unsure of what the moral is. Vera is horrified and humiliated, and we wonder if she has ever considered the weight of the law coming down upon her. Her only real concern is for her bewildered family.

Her husband and children are shocked, and wrestle with their love for this dear woman, and her secret activities that are so offensive to their beliefs. Sid is adamant: "How could you, mum? Those are little babies!" The preview screening of Vera Drake drew heavily from feminist and pro-choice communities, but there was no snickering or condescension as Sid vented his anger and hurt.

Some films succeed because of an incisive and compelling script, or brilliant performances. Others capture a mood or time so flawlessly that we forget we're watching a movie. Still others give us a new way to look at difficult issues-including those issues on which we already have firm convictions. Vera Drake excels in all of these. It's a seamless vision, executed by a master filmmaker. Like great literature, great film leaves us with more questions than answers. It challenges us, not so much in what we believe about right or wrong, but in how we believe in them.

Mike Leigh has given us a gift. In a hopelessly polarized debate, he allows us all to see real people involved in real situations. It is a film that will keep people on either side of the abortion debates talking. Perhaps they will even talk to one another.

Talk About It

1. In what ways have both sides of the abortion debates demonized one another? How does this demonization affect our ability to engage in productive, civil debate?
   
   
2. Are there any cases where decent, moral people can engage in immoral activities? For example? Why or why not?
   
   
3. Why is Vera able to do her work so cheerfully and be so devastated when her family finds out?
   
   
4. Does the ending of the film seem to take a viewpoint on the abortion issue?

The Family Corner

Vera Drake is rated R and contains several non-explicit abortion scenes and could be quite troubling for younger or very sensitive teenagers.

Photos © Copyright Fine Line Features

Would you be interested in a movie about an abortionist? Many will likely avoid Mike Leigh's film Vera Drake when they hear about its subject matter. Perhaps they assume the film is merely a propaganda piece for defenders of abortion. If they knew that Christian film critics would come forward celebrating it as "one of the best films of this year," perhaps they would give it a chance.

"Mike Leigh's … outdone himself with Vera Drake," says Stefan Ulstein (Christianity Today Movies). "[It's] the best film Leigh has made and one of the best films of this year. Imelda Stanton … turns in the performance of a lifetime. Some films succeed because of an incisive and compelling script, or brilliant performances. Others capture a mood or time so flawlessly that we forget we're watching a movie. Still others give us a new way to look at difficult issues—including those issues on which we already have firm convictions. Vera Drake excels in all of these. It's a seamless vision, executed by a master filmmaker. In a hopelessly polarized debate, [Leigh] allows us all to see real people involved in real situations. It is a film that will keep people on either side of the abortion debates talking. Perhaps they will even talk to one another."

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