I picked up a copy of the movie Vera Drake (2004) from the county library the other day and this afternoon I sat down and watched it. The tagline reads: “Wife. Mother. Criminal.” It isn’t so flippant or sinister as the box may lead you to believe. Set in 1950’s Britain the story follows the daily life of Vera, a woman of extreme compassion and solid heart, who helps women faced with unplanned/unwanted pregnancies who cannot afford or otherwise obtain licensed medical help.

The following is an exchange between Vera and a detective.

Detective – So, how do you help them out?
Vera Drake – I help them start their bleeding again.
Detective – You help them to get rid of the baby? You perform an abortion. Is that right, Mrs. Drake? You perform abortions, don’t you?
Vera Drake – That’s not what I do, dear. That’s what you call it, but they need help. Who else they gonna turn to? They’ve got no one. I help them out.

Saying that I found this film emotionally moving would make it seem trite. My county library has three copies alone; I highly recommend giving it a view.