Vera Drake (2004): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Vera Drake is a 2004 crime drama directed by Mike Leigh, starring Imelda Staunton. It runs 2 hours 5 minutes and earned $13.3 million worldwide. It won 3 awards from 17 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 5m (125 min)
- Director
- Mike Leigh
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Fine Line Features
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Vera Drake About?
The premise of Vera Drake without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1950s England, Vera Drake appears to be a kind and loving wife and mother. However, she harbors a secret: she provides a discreet and supportive service for women unable to access legal abortions. When her clandestine activities are threatened with exposure, Vera's quiet existence is shattered, forcing her family and community to confront difficult moral questions and examine the complexities of love and compassion in a restrictive era.
Vera Drake Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- rape
- abortion
- pregnancy
- unwanted pregnancy
- panties
- unfaithfulness
- underwear
- pub
- adultery
- injustice
- double standard
- birth control
+38 more Show fewer
- illegal abortion
- abortionist
- female protagonist
- nylon stockings
- character name as title
- botched abortion
- period drama
- 1950s
- neighbor
- miscarriage
- tailor
- police
- england
- f rated
- women's prison
- criminal trial
- london england
- bail hearing
- fingerprinting
- brassiere
- black market
- cinema
- contraband
- assembly line
- wheelchair
- wedding ring
- wealth
- watching a movie
- virgin
- tragic event
- theater audience
- telephone call
- tea
- tears
- talking to self
- syringe
- surgical operation
- surgery
Vera Drake Cast
Imelda Staunton stars in Vera Drake. Directed by Mike Leigh.
-
Director Mike Leigh
More from Mike Leigh
More films directed by Mike Leigh, best-rated first: Secrets & Lies, Life Is Sweet, Naked and Topsy-Turvy.
Vera Drake Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Vera Drake 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
-
IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 83 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB
Vera Drake Plot Summary
What happens in Vera Drake from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Vera Drake, portrayed by Imelda Staunton, is a woman whose life revolves around her family. She dedicates herself to caring for her husband, children, elderly mother, and even a sick neighbor. Vera’s daughter, Ethel (Alex Kelly), toils away in a factory, while her son, Sid (Daniel Mays), is busy tailoring men’s suits. Her husband, Stanley (Phil Davis), earns a living as a car mechanic. Despite their modest lifestyle, the strength of their family ties keeps them united and resilient.
Full summary
The whole story of Vera Drake, scene by scene
Vera Drake Box Office
Vera Drake grossed $13.3 million worldwide. $3.8 million came from the US and Canada and $9.5 million (72%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$13.3M
- US & Canada
- $3.8M
- International
- $9.5M
Vera Drake Awards & Nominations
Vera Drake won 3 awards from 17 nominations, among them 3 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 2005, with 3 wins from 11 nominations.
3 wins17 nominations5 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2005 3 wins · 11 nominations- Won Best Actress in a Leading Role – Imelda Staunton
- Won Best Costume Design
- Won Best Direction – Mike Leigh
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Phil Davis
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Heather Craney
-
Oscars 2005 3 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Imelda Staunton
- Nominated Directing – Mike Leigh
- Nominated Writing (Original Screenplay)
-
Critics' Choice 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actress – Imelda Staunton
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Imelda Staunton
Show all 5 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Imelda Staunton
Vera Drake Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Mike Leigh and Phil Davis on Vera Drake | BFI Q&A
How Well Do You Know Vera Drake?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the role of Vera Drake?
Cars in Vera Drake
6 cars on screen, including the 1951 Jowett Javelin and the 1936 Morris 18.
-
1951 Jowett Javelin Important role -
1936 Morris 18 Important role -
1946 Bedford M-Type Background role -
1932 Ford Eight Background role
Vera Drake Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “베라 드레이크” and “Το μυστικό της Βέρα Ντρέικ”.
- Also known as
-
- 베라 드레이크
- Το μυστικό της Βέρα Ντρέικ
- El secreto de Vera Drake
- Il segreto di Vera Drake
- וירה דרייק
- Hemşire
- O Segredo de Vera Drake
- Вера Дрейк
- Vera Drake – Žena dvou tváří
- ヴェラ・ドレイク
- 维拉·德雷克
- Вера Дрэйк
+1 more Show fewer
- Το Μυστικό της Vera Drake
Seen Vera Drake?
Movies Like Vera Drake
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Baxter, Vera Baxter, Twilight of a Woman’s Soul and Vena.
Vera Drake FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Vera Drake, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Vera Drake?
Vera Drake runs 2 hours 5 minutes (125 minutes).
When was Vera Drake released?
Vera Drake was released on October 10, 2004.
Who directed Vera Drake?
Vera Drake was directed by Mike Leigh.
More films by Mike Leigh Who is in the cast of Vera Drake?
Vera Drake stars Imelda Staunton.
How much did Vera Drake make at the box office?
Vera Drake grossed $13.3 million worldwide ($3.8 million domestic, $9.5 million international).
How is Vera Drake rated?
Vera Drake has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 83 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
What awards did Vera Drake win?
Vera Drake won 3 awards from 17 nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 2005.
Does Vera Drake have a post-credit scene?
No. Vera Drake has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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