Arts & Entertainment
Feel-good ‘Philomena’
Strong Dench performance anchors gay-themed dramedy
Judi Dench and Steve Coogan in ‘Philomena.’ (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)
With its winning combination of comedy, moral uplift and righteous indignation, and the surprisingly effective pairing of Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, “Philomena” is an excellent addition to your holiday festivities.
The film is based on the true story of Philomena Lee (Dench), an unwed mother in Ireland who was forced to give her son up for adoption and to work in a convent laundry to atone for her sins and to reimburse the nuns for their obstetrical care. (The outrageous treatment of women like Philomena is explored in the award-winning 2002 documentary “The Magdalena Sisters.”)
With the help of former journalist and disgraced politician Martin Sixsmith (Coogan), she decides to track down her son. After being stonewalled by the nuns at the convent in Roscrea where Philomena was confined, the unlikely duo travel to Washington to follow up some promising leads.
Sixsmith discovers that Michael was adopted by wealthy American parents and ended up as a closeted advisor to President Ronald Reagan. Philomena is devastated to learn that her son died of AIDS, but the unlikely duo decide to track down Michael’s friends and family to find out more about the young man. Their road trip is both sad and funny, bringing together Philomena’s amusing observations of American life (she can’t wait to watch “Big Momma’s House” on the hotel TV) and the moving memories of Michael’s sister (who has been adopted from the same convent), female friend (and beard) and widower.
The screenplay by Coogan and Jeff Pope (based on Sixsmith’s memoir) deftly weaves together Philomena’s sexual indiscretion with her son’s repressive politics and closeted life, her unshaken faith in the Catholic Church against Sixsmith’s world-weary cynicism and atheism, and her belief in forgiveness versus the unyielding and unchanging judgments of the nuns. It leavens these serious themes with some delicious comic moments — Sixsmith’s interactions with his editor and former colleagues, Philomena’s delights at the perks of traveling on an expense account, and especially Philomena regaling the exasperated Sixsmith with the convoluted plot of one of her beloved romance novels.
But despite its many strengths, the screenplay does not fully manage to make the real-life story believable as a free-standing movie. For example, although we learn that Philomena has married and had children and moved to London, we never find out any details about her adult life. Likewise, we never learn in any detail about the scandal that has derailed Sixsmith’s high-flying career. These details could have amplified the powerful themes of redemption, betrayal and secrecy in powerful ways.
More seriously, though, the actions of the supporting characters are unmotivated. Michael’s widower, for example, goes to great lengths to avoid Martin and Philomena, but we never know why, and Michael himself remains a closeted but pleasant cipher.
Despite these flaws, the center of this thoroughly enjoyable movie is the stellar performance of Dame Judi Dench. She creates a richly multi-faceted character with great sensitivity and restraint. Her performance is ably echoed by the talented Sophie Kennedy Clark as the young Philomena in well-written flashback sequences. Both actresses bring to vivid life Philomena’s sensual delight in the fling that resulted in her pregnancy and the psychic and physical horrors of her cruel treatment by the avaricious nuns, as well the deep belief in the possibilities of human nature that brings about the powerful acts of forgiveness that cap the movie.
Dench is also well-supported by Coogan, who is best known for his comic turns in such movie as “Hamlet 2,” but shines in the more dramatic role of the disgraced politician Martin Sixsmith. As both writer and director, Coogan avoids the sentimental clichés that could have bogged the movie down and fully embraces the less savory aspects of Sixsmith’s character to make him a more effective foil to Philomena.
Both funny and inspirational, “Philomena” is satisfying holiday-season cinematic fare. It’s playing at Landmark E Street, Bethesda Row Cinemas and other area theaters.
a&e features
Eastern Shore chef named James Beard Finalist
Harley Peet creates inventive food in an inclusive space
In a small Eastern Shore town filled with boutiques, galleries, and the occasional cry of waterfowl from the Chesapeake, Chef Harley Peet is most at home. In his Viennese-inflected, Maryland-sourced fine-dining destination Bas Rouge, Peet draws from his Northern Michigan upbringing, Culinary Institute of America education, and identity as a gay man, for inspiration.
And recently, Peet was named a James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic – the first “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” finalist representing the Eastern Shore.
Peet, after graduation from the Culinary Institute of America, took a position as sous chef at Tilghman Island Inn, not far from Bas Rouge. Falling in love with the Eastern Shore, he continued his passion for racing sailboats, boating, gardening, and fishing, and living his somewhat pastoral life as he opened Bas Rouge in 2016 as head chef, a restaurant part of the Bluepoint Hospitality group, which runs more than a dozen concepts in and around Easton, Md.
Coming from a rural area and being gay, Peet knew he had his work cut out for him. He was always aware that the service and hospitality industry “can be down and dirty and rough.”
Now as a leader in the kitchen, he aims to “set a good example, and treat people how I want to be treated. I also want to make sure if you’re at our establishment, I’m the first to stand up and say something.”
The Bas Rouge cuisine, he says, is Contemporary European. “I’m inspired by old-world techniques of countries like Austria, Germany, and France, but I love putting a new spin on classic dishes and finding innovative ways to incorporate the bounty of local Chesapeake ingredients.”
His proudest dish: the humble-yet-elevated Wiener Schnitzel. “It is authentic to what one would expect to find in Vienna, down to the Lingonberries.” From his in-house bakery, Peet dries and grinds the housemade Kaiser-Semmel bread to use as the breadcrumbs.
Peet works to support the LGBTQ community inside and outside of the kitchen. “I love that our Bluepoint Hospitality team has created welcoming spaces where our patrons feel comfortable dining at each of our establishments. Our staff have a genuine respect for one another and work together free of judgment.”
Representing Bluepoint, Peet has participated in events like Chefs for Equality with the Human Rights Campaign, advocating for LGBTQ rights.
At Bas Rouge, Peet brings together his passion for inclusion steeped in a sustainability ethic. He sees environmental stewardship as a way of life. Peet and his husband have lived and worked on their own organic farm for several years. Through research in Europe, he learned about international marine sourcing. Witnessing the impacts of overfishing, Peet considers his own role in promoting eco-friendly practices at Bas Rouge. To that end, he ensures responsible sourcing commitments through his purveyors, relationships that have helped create significant change in how people dine in Easton.
“I have built great relationships in the community and there’s nothing better than one of our long-standing purveyors stopping in with a cooler of fresh fish from the Chesapeake Bay. This goes especially for catching and plating the invasive blue catfish species, which helps control the species’ threat to the local ecosystem.
Through his kitchen exploits, Peet expressed a unique connection to another gay icon in a rural fine-dining restaurant: Patrick O’Connell, of three Michelin starred Inn at Little Washington. In fact, Peet’s husband helped design some of O’Connell’s kitchen spaces. They’ve both been able to navigate treacherous restaurant-industry waters, and have come out triumphant and celebrated. Of O’Connell, Peet says that he “sees [his restaurants] as canvas, all artistry, he sees this as every night is a show.” But at the same time, his “judgment-free space makes him a role model.”
Being in Easton itself is not without challenges. Sourcing is a challenge, having to either fly or ship in ingredients, whereas urban restaurants have the benefit of trucking, he says. The small town “is romantic and charming,” but logistics are difficult – one of the reasons that Peet ensures his team is diverse, building in different viewpoints, and also “making things a hell of a lot more fun.”
Reflecting on challenges and finding (and creating) space on the Eastern Shore, Peet confirmed how important it was to surround himself with people who set a good example, and “if you don’t like the way something is going, fuck them and move on.”
Team DC, the umbrella organization for LGBTQ-friendly sports teams and leagues in the D.C. area, held its annual Night of Champions Awards Gala on Saturday, April 20 at the Hilton National Mall. The organization gave out scholarships to area LGBTQ student athletes as well as awards to the Different Drummers, Kelly Laczko of Duplex Diner, Stacy Smith of the Edmund Burke School, Bryan Frank of Triout, JC Adams of DCG Basketball and the DC Gay Flag Football League.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2024 National Cannabis Festival was held at the Fields at RFK Stadium on April 19-20.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering the @NatlCannaFest at RFK Stadium for @WashBlade . Stop by the LGBTQ+ booth and pick up a paper if you are here. pic.twitter.com/is7hnsaPns
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) April 20, 2024
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