--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Philomena' was even better than I had…" description: "\"'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi Dench gave a flawle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/claire-tomalin-8837_better_philomena-was-even-better-than-i-had-exp_2000314.jpg" --- # 'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so… ![“'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi Dench gave a flawless performance, as did everybody else.” quote by Claire Tomalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/claire-tomalin-8837_better_philomena-was-even-better-than-i-had-exp_2000314.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/claire-tomalin-8837_better_philomena-was-even-better-than-i-had-exp_2000314.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee9/claire-tomalin-8837_better_philomena-was-even-better-than-i-had-exp_2000314.jpg) > “'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi Dench gave a flawless performance, as did everybody else.” [Claire Tomalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-tomalin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The reviewer praises the film for exposing corrupt Irish nuns and highlights Judi Dench's flawless performance alongside the cast. **In simple terms:** The film reveals dark secrets and features strong acting. Key Takeaway Appreciate honest storytelling and powerful performances. Themes film criticism exposure acting historical injustice Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical review When to use this quote - movie night - discussion groups - film studies - activism Key Concepts media ethics performance analysis cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How does exposing past wrongs affect present understanding? - What makes a performance flawless? A Different Perspective The review may overlook nuanced perspectives on the depicted history. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better Expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-expected-398365/) [Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/did/) [Else](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/else/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Everybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody/) [Everybody else](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody-else/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Expected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expected/) [Exposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposed/) [Flawless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flawless/) [Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Irish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irish/) [Nuns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuns/) [Nuns Thoroughly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuns-thoroughly-3516040/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Performance Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance-did-1004355/) [Philomena Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philomena-better-3516041/) [Pleased](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleased/) [See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/see/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Thoroughly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoroughly/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [We have grafted, we write our own music, we are great performers - we put our life and soul into it. 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