I am always looking for movies that make me think and I adore movies that have heart. Philomena contains both. Directed by Stephen Frears and starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, Philomena is based on a true story of a teenage girl who endured a scandalous pregnancy and was then forced to give up her child for adoption. Philomena grows and eventually has a family of her own, but  out of shame, keeps her secret for decades. When she can bear it no more and opens up to her daughter, a beautiful story of love and loss is set into motion.  It’s a story about how people cope with the painful realities of life. It’s about love and redemption, but at its core it’s a story about faith. Judi Dench is remarkable as the fragile-appearing yet optimistic Philomena. Coogan plays off of her perfectly as the hardened skeptic, Martin Sixsmith. Films at their best not only entertain us, but challenge us to have a deeper look at ourselves and our world, Philomena succeeds brilliantly on both counts, and is well worth your time and $10. So, if you are heading out to see a movie with explosions or robots or a plucky divorcee who overcomes all of the odds (yet again), see Philomena instead, I believe you will be glad you did.