Philomena Lee, the real life subject of the acclaimed forced-adoption drama “Philomena,” has issued a letter defending the film against accusations that it is “anti-Catholic.”
Responding to a review in the New York Post that called the film “hateful and boring,” the letter published by Deadline replied directly to the Post’s critic, Kyle Smith.
The Guardian quoted the letter: “Your review of the movie paints its story as being a condemnation of Catholicism and conservative views. It states that the relationship depicted between Mr Martin Sixsmith and myself comes across as contrived and trite, and funny for all the wrong reasons. Forgive me for saying so, Kyle, but you are incorrect.”
“Philomena,” based on Martin Sixsmith’s book “The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,” tells the story of Lee and Sixsmith’s attempt to contact Lee’s son, removed from her by the nuns with whom she has taken refuge in 1950s Ireland. Judi Dench plays Lee, and Steve Coogan the journalist and former spin doctor Sixsmith.
Lee’s letter then goes on to paint her as a staunch Catholic, despite her experiences.
“The story it tells has resonated with people not because it’s some mockery of ideas or institutions that they’re in disagreement with. This is not a rally cry against the church or politics. In fact, despite some of the troubles that befell me as a young girl, I have always maintained a very strong hold on my faith.”
Sources
NewsTalk
Deadline
The Guardian
Image: NewsTalk
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