It was a real revelation

She is a woman so determined, strong-willed, and forgiving, that she practically makes the nuns look evil. Look for Dench to be nominated for acting awards for this film.Coogan, in a brilliant move, cast himself as the former wonk turned journalist. But it is the script, by Coogan, that is the best thing about this film. Coogan has some very good lines, lines that are at times sarcastic and biting, even when he is with Philomena. And Philomena, in turn, is given very good lines herself, lines that explain her grief but also her determination. Their journey brings them close, despite being two very different people from two very different backgrounds. It is a journey and a story that should be seen by everyone.Following are excerpts from the Philomena press conference, held last month in London.Steve Coogan: I initially didn't want to write it. I thought it was an interesting story and I think I want to pursue it. I was told to write it but I told the producers that I am better with comedy and not drama, and they said that I need someone good to write it with, so they introduced me to Jeff Pope. Now we are bestest bestest friends.

It was a real revelation. I learned from him and we collaborated in the two cents. We both brought different things to it. Jeff would talk about the structure of the whole thing and the rhythm, and I was more about the myopic detail of character and dialogue. So we both had distinct roles. It was as much fun writing as it was acting.Judi Dench: The story was read to me, and immediately I wanted to do it, before there was really any tweaking to the script. You have only have to hear the story and hear about Philomena. That is irresistible to play.Question: Did you have any sense of responsibility to portray these people on the big screen?JD: That is a very good question. The only thing that concerns me when I'm playing somebody who is alive, I played Iris Murdock who had not long died, responsibility very very heavy on my shoulders, and I feel with this film, as long as you tell Philomena's story, and it were true to her, which Jeff and Steve had already done by writing the story, we must not sell her short. She is a most remarkable woman, and all my concern was that we must be absolutely true to her story.