Vera Drake (2004)

This is a very basic film, with basic, ordinary characters.
Vera (Imelda Staunton) shines as Vera, a cleaning woman in 1950 London with a husband and two adult children, but she also performs illegal abortions though that's not what she calls it. She calls it helping young girls who are in trouble.
Now, her method is bizarre to say the least. She uses some sort of syringe full of water and soap and shoves up the girl's ass and a few days later, the bleeding starts. I can't believe that that works, but apparently it does and she gets away with it for years.
But she finally gets caught to the shock of her whole family. Her mechanic husband, whom she loves dearly had no idea. Her children react differently. Sid (Daniel Mays) is furious and ashamed while the downtrodden Ethel (Alex Kelly) is more supportive though she barely says a word for the whole film.
Now, while the film is well acted and shows a slice of life for the average person, it is a bit jumbled in parts. The plot line for one of the wealthy families Vera works for is under-developed and cuts off after the daughter, Susan (Sally Hawkins) is raped and has a legal but incredibly expensive abortion. And it has a sad ending as Vera is punished and put into prison for her crime.
Still, it is painfully realistic and forces you to think. Was Vera really committing a crime or was she really just trying to help people? Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-This film features cameos from Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Ruth Sheen, Eddie Marsan and Call the Midwife's Fennella Woolgar.
-Each of the women getting the procedure react differently. Some are pleased while others feel guilty.
-Ruth Sheen is a scene-stealer as the arranger of the procedure who pockets the funds while Vera does all the dirty work, including going to prison and gets none of the reward.