Abortionist Vera Drake finds her beliefs and practices clash with the mores of 1950s Britain – a conflict that leads to tragedy for her family.
Ratings
Curator score: 8.3/10
IMDb: 7.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.94/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Metacritic: 83
TMDB: 7.2/10
Director
Mike Leigh
Production
StudioCanal, Les Films Alain Sarde, UK Film Council, Inside Track, Thin Man Films
Cast
Imelda Staunton, Phil Davis, Sally Hawkins, Daniel Mays, Eddie Marsan, Alex Kelly, Ruth Sheen, Adrian Scarborough, Heather Craney, Lesley Manville, Simon Chandler, Wendy Nottingham, Richard Graham, Anna Keaveney, Peter Wight, Martin Savage, Helen Coker, Jim Broadbent, Gerard Monaco, Leo Bill
Curator Review
Verdict
A devastating, compassionate social drama anchored by Imelda Staunton’s extraordinary performance. It’s especially powerful if you value character-first filmmaking, moral complexity, and historically grounded stories about women’s lives under punitive systems.
Best for
viewers who like humane but unsparing social realism
fans of morally complex period dramas
people interested in reproductive rights history and women’s autonomy
admirers of performance-driven ensemble drama
Skip if
you want a fast-paced or plot-twist-heavy film
you prefer emotionally light or uplifting dramas
you’re looking for a clear-cut moral argument instead of ambiguity
you’re sensitive to abortion-related subject matter
Overview
Vera Drake is one of Mike Leigh’s most devastating works because it refuses simplification. It treats its title character as neither saint nor symbol, but as a working-class woman whose kindness, routine, and private choices collide with a society built to punish her. The film’s power comes from how ordinary it feels until it suddenly becomes unbearable.
Top Letterboxd reviews
fran hoepfner (4.5★) · 341 likes
watching this I got as close as I'll probably ever get to punching a wall
Sam (4.5★) · 236 likes
Mike Leigh is an absolute genius who is able to touch on ideas that possess such sensitivity yet can drive a story that not only ignites a powerful conversation, yet understands, above all else, the rights that each human deserves. With Vera Drake, he discusses abortion, a topic that is difficult to touch upon, especially in a way that is risky and attentive. Women can barely speak about these issues - at least publicly - let alone perform acts of… more Mike Leigh is an absolute genius who is able to touch on ideas that possess such sensitivity yet can drive a story that not only ignites a powerful conversation, yet understands, above all else, the rights that each human deserves. With Vera Drake, he discusses abortion, a topic that is difficult to touch upon, especially in a way that is risky and attentive. Women can barely speak about these issues - at least publicly - let alone perform acts of… more
Marcissus (4★) · 173 likes
if you don't think society is advancing in a generally positive manner just watch any British period film set in the 20th century. has to be the absolute grimmest place on Earth
Xfaxe (4★) · 164 likes
Mike Leigh crafts yet another great movie! He writes an emotional profound movie about the flaws of society. When the laws are wrong and unjust. “Vera Drake” explores and challenges our view of what’s right and wrong. Leigh’s direction is stellar and does an excellent job putting us in Vera’s shoes. We can’t help but sympathise with her. Imelda Staunton gives an excellent performance, she is heartbreaking in the lead role! It feels like “Vera Drake” has grown more important… more Mike Leigh crafts yet another great movie! He writes an emotional profound movie about the flaws of society. When the laws are wrong and unjust. “Vera Drake” explores and challenges our view of what’s right and wrong. Leigh’s direction is stellar and does an excellent job putting us in Vera’s shoes. We can’t help but sympathise with her. Imelda Staunton gives an excellent performance, she is heartbreaking in the lead role! It feels like “Vera Drake” has grown more important… more
Rod Sedgwick (4.5★) · 148 likes
''Right then dear, first thing we've got to do is put the kettle on.''
I don't think I have ever seen a Mike Leigh film that I haven't found to be utterly compelling, and Vera Drake is no exception. A film that raises many polarizing questions, but expects the viewer to make its own judgement call on the moral complexities it poses by focusing upon how all the lives in its focus are affected. Performances, particularly from the titular character… more
2011 · Drama, Romance · 1h 38m · R · Curator 7.5/10 (17.7K ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, OVID, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
A period drama of emotional intensity, social constraint, and a woman trapped by expectations.