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Philomena

 Philomena
type
TVTItem
 Philomena
label
Philomena
 Philomena
page
Philomena
 Philomena
comment
Philomena is a 2013 comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears, based on the true story of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench), a young woman in 1950s Ireland who becomes pregnant and is sent to one of the infamous Magdalene Laundries. Her child is forcibly adopted at age two. She remains silent until her son's fiftieth birthday.Enter Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), a journalist and former spin doctor who has been sacked. Philomena's daughter, only just learning of her mother's secret past, tries to get Martin to take on what he dismissively calls a "human interest story". However, he accepts, somewhat grudgingly, and he and Philomena go on an Odd Couple road trip round Ireland and America, trying to find the location of Philomena's Anthony.
 Philomena
fetched
2024-04-21T17:16:59Z
 Philomena
parsed
2024-04-21T17:16:59Z
 Philomena
processingComment
Dropped link to LoveableRogue: Not a Feature - IGNORE
 Philomena
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Philomena / int_143939c1
type
Trailers Always Spoil
 Philomena / int_143939c1
comment
Trailers Always Spoil: One trailer gave away the fact that Philomena's son was Michael Hess.
 Philomena / int_143939c1
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1.0
 Philomena / int_143939c1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_143939c1
 Philomena / int_18f2b2b
type
Hypocritical Heartwarming
 Philomena / int_18f2b2b
comment
Hypocritical Heartwarming: Although Martin at first doesn't think highly of Philomena, he's quick to try and protect her from as much bad news as possible and gets righteously furious on her behalf when realizing the nuns lied to her.
 Philomena / int_18f2b2b
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1.0
 Philomena / int_18f2b2b
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1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_18f2b2b
 Philomena / int_191535aa
type
Eiffel Tower Effect
 Philomena / int_191535aa
comment
Eiffel Tower Effect: In Washington, the Capitol Building can be seen from Philomena's hotel window. Then Philomena and Martin visit the Lincoln Memorial.
 Philomena / int_191535aa
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1.0
 Philomena / int_191535aa
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1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_191535aa
 Philomena / int_22cf536c
type
Chekhov's Gun
 Philomena / int_22cf536c
comment
Chekhov's Gun: Sixsmith is shown drinking a pint glass of Guinness stout with the logo clearly visible. It looks like a simple case of Product Placement until he makes the connection between the harp logo and the pin Michael wears in the photographs of his White House service.
 Philomena / int_22cf536c
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1.0
 Philomena / int_22cf536c
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_22cf536c
 Philomena / int_2764d432
type
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing
 Philomena / int_2764d432
comment
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: The younger nuns appear to be very nice to Philomena but are still knowingly hiding information about her son from her.
 Philomena / int_2764d432
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1.0
 Philomena / int_2764d432
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Philomena / int_2764d432
 Philomena / int_30eb40ec
type
Stern Nun
 Philomena / int_30eb40ec
comment
Stern Nun
 Philomena / int_30eb40ec
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1.0
 Philomena / int_30eb40ec
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_30eb40ec
 Philomena / int_32da91b8
type
Out of Focus
 Philomena / int_32da91b8
comment
Out of Focus: Philomena's daughter takes an important role in the early scenes of the film but then isn't seen on screen again.
 Philomena / int_32da91b8
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1.0
 Philomena / int_32da91b8
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1.0
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Philomena / int_32da91b8
 Philomena / int_372bc105
type
Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism
 Philomena / int_372bc105
comment
Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: From Philomena at one end to Martin at the other. The film essentially agrees in part with both of their outlooks about the world.
 Philomena / int_372bc105
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1.0
 Philomena / int_372bc105
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_372bc105
 Philomena / int_3b113b7
type
Character Development
 Philomena / int_3b113b7
comment
Character Development: Martin develops a lot more compassion for Philomena as the story goes on.
 Philomena / int_3b113b7
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1.0
 Philomena / int_3b113b7
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_3b113b7
 Philomena / int_40f3b23a
type
FilmOfTheBook
 Philomena / int_40f3b23a
comment
Film of the Book: But seriously, it's not really much like the book.
 Philomena / int_40f3b23a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_40f3b23a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_40f3b23a
 Philomena / int_4781adbb
type
Jerk with a Heart of Gold
 Philomena / int_4781adbb
comment
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Martin. He may be Brutally Honest, and he also starts to care for Philomena greatly. In the end, he is even ready to give up the idea of publishing the article.
 Philomena / int_4781adbb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_4781adbb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_4781adbb
 Philomena / int_4e0f7320
type
Misfit Mobilization Moment
 Philomena / int_4e0f7320
comment
Misfit Mobilization Moment: Several minor ones throughout the film as the two characters warm to each other and their 'mission'. The first one being when Martin's smarmy former colleague returns to First Class on the plane and Philomena remarks to Martin that First Class doesn't necessarily mean first-class people.
 Philomena / int_4e0f7320
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_4e0f7320
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_4e0f7320
 Philomena / int_4e7c4536
type
Wham Line
 Philomena / int_4e7c4536
comment
Wham Line: A rare text variant, seen as Martin successfully finds a website detailing Anthony/Michael's life:
 Philomena / int_4e7c4536
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1.0
 Philomena / int_4e7c4536
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_4e7c4536
 Philomena / int_53224e46
type
Bookends
 Philomena / int_53224e46
comment
Bookends: Martin and Philomena's investigation starts and finishes with a visit at Roscrea Abbey. Martin notices it and quotes T. S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
 Philomena / int_53224e46
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_53224e46
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_53224e46
 Philomena / int_586db75d
type
My Girl Is Not a Slut
 Philomena / int_586db75d
comment
My Girl Is Not a Slut: Philomena, and every other woman or girl in the laundries were a victim of this kind of double standard. They are treated barbarically while the men they had sex with are rarely blamed at all.
 Philomena / int_586db75d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_586db75d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_586db75d
 Philomena / int_5d6db368
type
Four Eyes, Zero Soul
 Philomena / int_5d6db368
comment
Four Eyes, Zero Soul: Sister Hildegard.
 Philomena / int_5d6db368
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_5d6db368
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_5d6db368
 Philomena / int_5f52cfcf
type
Intrepid Reporter
 Philomena / int_5f52cfcf
comment
Intrepid Reporter: Martin tries to be, but often finds his abrupt manner doesn't get him very far.
 Philomena / int_5f52cfcf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_5f52cfcf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_5f52cfcf
 Philomena / int_622d4676
type
Mistaken for Suicidal
 Philomena / int_622d4676
comment
Mistaken for Suicidal: Philomena does not answer when Martin knocks on her door in the hotel in Washington, so he is afraid that something bas happened. Finally, he enters her room and find her on the balcony, but she was not intending to commit suicide: she was just crying alone.
 Philomena / int_622d4676
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_622d4676
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_622d4676
 Philomena / int_6b05b601
type
Jerkass Has a Point
 Philomena / int_6b05b601
comment
Jerkass Has a Point: Martin's arguments with Philomena about the Catholic Church aren't always conducted with great sensitivity on his part, but it's hard to say his conclusions are wrong.
 Philomena / int_6b05b601
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_6b05b601
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1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_6b05b601
 Philomena / int_6bda9a30
type
Meaningful Name
 Philomena / int_6bda9a30
comment
Meaningful Name: Philomena is the name of the patron saint of babies and youth.
 Philomena / int_6bda9a30
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_6bda9a30
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1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_6bda9a30
 Philomena / int_76db0ef5
type
Slobs Versus Snobs
 Philomena / int_76db0ef5
comment
Slobs Versus Snobs: Martin is used to eating in classy restaurants, to travelling business class, to staying in fancy hotels... Philomena is not and Martin makes fun of her reactions.
 Philomena / int_76db0ef5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_76db0ef5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_76db0ef5
 Philomena / int_7d89315b
type
"The Reason You Suck" Speech
 Philomena / int_7d89315b
comment
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Philomena to Martin and Martin to Sister Hildegard.
 Philomena / int_7d89315b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_7d89315b
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1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_7d89315b
 Philomena / int_82a631b8
type
Present-Day Past
 Philomena / int_82a631b8
comment
Present-Day Past: Averted. Set in the early 2000s and uses period computers, mobile phones and cars.
 Philomena / int_82a631b8
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-1.0
 Philomena / int_82a631b8
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1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_82a631b8
 Philomena / int_834fbd95
type
Kindhearted Simpleton
 Philomena / int_834fbd95
comment
Kind Hearted Simpleton: Martin sees Philomena this way, at least at first, but she's a great deal wiser than he gives her credit for. She has endured terrible cruelty and lifelong grief, yet says she doesn't like the word "evil," even to describe the nuns of the laundries, and is unfailingly gentle, sweet, and kind.
 Philomena / int_834fbd95
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_834fbd95
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_834fbd95
 Philomena / int_9245d989
type
Sinister Minister
 Philomena / int_9245d989
comment
Sinister Minister: Sister Hildegard is a fury-inducing example.
 Philomena / int_9245d989
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_9245d989
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_9245d989
 Philomena / int_985e118a
type
Odd Couple
 Philomena / int_985e118a
comment
Odd Couple: A great deal of the humour comes from this: Martin is an Oxford-educated journalist, while Philomena is a retired nurse who likes to read romance novels.
 Philomena / int_985e118a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_985e118a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_985e118a
 Philomena / int_a70223
type
Karma Houdini
 Philomena / int_a70223
comment
Karma Houdini: Sister Hildegard has serious health problems in her old age and gets called out by Martin for her actions. But the other nuns who ran the laundries and lied to Philomena and Michael, Philomena's unseen father who abandoned and disowned her, and Martin's boss who encourages him to exploit Philomena's grief are all unpunished. However, there is the consolation that when Martin's article comes out, it will result in a public relations nightmare for the Catholic Church that would only get worse when the truth about molesting priest cover ups and the Magdalene Asylums are exposed.
 Philomena / int_a70223
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_a70223
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_a70223
 Philomena / int_a90fff3
type
Based on a True Story
 Philomena / int_a90fff3
comment
Based on a True Story: Based on the story of Philomena Lee, Michael Hess and Martin Sixsmith.
 Philomena / int_a90fff3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_a90fff3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_a90fff3
 Philomena / int_ae3d6438
type
Deadpan Snarker
 Philomena / int_ae3d6438
comment
Deadpan Snarker: Martin is constantly snarking — which goes entirely over Philomena's head most of the time.
 Philomena / int_ae3d6438
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_ae3d6438
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_ae3d6438
 Philomena / int_af696bef
type
Fish out of Water
 Philomena / int_af696bef
comment
Fish out of Water: Philomena in Business Class and at a 5 Star Hotel. And Martin at the Harvester Pub when meeting Philomena and her daughter for the first time.
 Philomena / int_af696bef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_af696bef
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_af696bef
 Philomena / int_b4fb830c
type
Smarter Than You Look
 Philomena / int_b4fb830c
comment
Smarter Than You Look: Philomena. During the scene where she asks Marcia if Anthony/Michael had children she makes it clear that after a few misunderstandings that she knows what Marcia meant by Michael being gay but wanted to know if her son was "bi-curious" like some of the nurses that she knew.
 Philomena / int_b4fb830c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_b4fb830c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_b4fb830c
 Philomena / int_b77808f2
type
"Where Are They Now?" Epilogue
 Philomena / int_b77808f2
comment
"Where Are They Now?" Epilogue: There is one in the end. We hear that Philomena still lives in Southern England and Martin writes books about the history of Russia.
 Philomena / int_b77808f2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_b77808f2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_b77808f2
 Philomena / int_bc00493f
type
Precision F-Strike
 Philomena / int_bc00493f
comment
Precision F-Strike: Martin's exclamation of "Fucking Catholics!". And when Philomena stops at a small backwoods church to confess her sins she calls him a "Feckin' eejit!".
 Philomena / int_bc00493f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_bc00493f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_bc00493f
 Philomena / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Philomena / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Sister Hildegard sits in stony silence as Martin berates her, until he says what she did "wasn't very Christian."
 Philomena / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_bc74ef27
 Philomena / int_c023a146
type
Hollywood Homely
 Philomena / int_c023a146
comment
Hollywood Homely: In-Universe, discussed at the end when Philomena talks about the protagonist of her romance novel to Martin.
 Philomena / int_c023a146
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_c023a146
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_c023a146
 Philomena / int_ca3a4a31
type
Disability as an Excuse for Jerkassery
 Philomena / int_ca3a4a31
comment
Disability as an Excuse for Jerkassery: Or at least to be called out on past jerkassery, for Sister Hildegard.
 Philomena / int_ca3a4a31
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_ca3a4a31
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_ca3a4a31
 Philomena / int_d0b60f23
type
GoshDangItToHeck
 Philomena / int_d0b60f23
comment
Gosh Dang It to Heck!: Philomena doesn't swear, with one notable exception (see below).
 Philomena / int_d0b60f23
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_d0b60f23
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_d0b60f23
 Philomena / int_d129e13e
type
"Eureka!" Moment
 Philomena / int_d129e13e
comment
"Eureka!" Moment: Martin realizes that Michael was aware of — and took pride in — his Irish ancestry.
 Philomena / int_d129e13e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_d129e13e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_d129e13e
 Philomena / int_d46ddfa2
type
CloudCuckooLander
 Philomena / int_d46ddfa2
comment
Cloud Cuckoolander: Philomena.
 Philomena / int_d46ddfa2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_d46ddfa2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_d46ddfa2
 Philomena / int_da46a2c0
type
Hollywood Atheist
 Philomena / int_da46a2c0
comment
Hollywood Atheist: Martin is an atheist and he is contemptuous of Philomena's beliefs.
 Philomena / int_da46a2c0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_da46a2c0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_da46a2c0
 Philomena / int_dc579c91
type
Contrived Coincidence
 Philomena / int_dc579c91
comment
Contrived Coincidence: Martin met Philomena's son in Washington years ago.
 Philomena / int_dc579c91
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_dc579c91
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_dc579c91
 Philomena / int_e2d457
type
The Ditz
 Philomena / int_e2d457
comment
The Ditz: Philomena.
 Philomena / int_e2d457
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_e2d457
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_e2d457
 Philomena / int_e8ca5cb3
type
Freudian Slip
 Philomena / int_e8ca5cb3
comment
Freudian Slip: Martin, when talking about his confusing Jane Russell and Jayne Mansfield.
 Philomena / int_e8ca5cb3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_e8ca5cb3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_e8ca5cb3
 Philomena / int_e9e35e8f
type
Exact Words
 Philomena / int_e9e35e8f
comment
Exact Words: The nuns' claim that all of the relevant paperwork that would help Philomena track down Anthony was burned in a fire, with the assumption that it was an accidental fire. After talking to some locals, Martin is told that it was a bonfire where the nuns intentionally burned all their records to avoid exposing the fact that they were literally selling babies to rich Americans. In the airport, Philomena explains the whole plot of a novel to Martin, then she proposes him to read the book. He refuses politely, saying that he feels like he has already read it.
 Philomena / int_e9e35e8f
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1.0
 Philomena / int_e9e35e8f
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Philomena / int_e9e35e8f
 Philomena / int_eb8e4fa8
type
Jerkass
 Philomena / int_eb8e4fa8
comment
Jerkass: Martin's editor; she doesn't express much interest in the story itself, but cares about how Martin can extract as much pathos as possible from it.
 Philomena / int_eb8e4fa8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_eb8e4fa8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
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Philomena / int_eb8e4fa8
 Philomena / int_fa712e27
type
Gay Conservative
 Philomena / int_fa712e27
comment
Gay Conservative: Anthony/Michael.
 Philomena / int_fa712e27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_fa712e27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_fa712e27
 Philomena / int_fd0925ef
type
Bitch Alert
 Philomena / int_fd0925ef
comment
Bitch Alert: Sister Hildegard, though the word bitch is actually a bit tame for her.
 Philomena / int_fd0925ef
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_fd0925ef
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_fd0925ef
 Philomena / int_fd69ea80
type
Minor Major Character
 Philomena / int_fd69ea80
comment
Minor Major Character: Anthony.
 Philomena / int_fd69ea80
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_fd69ea80
featureConfidence
1.0
 Philomena
hasFeature
Philomena / int_fd69ea80
 Philomena / int_fe0330fb
type
Brick Joke
 Philomena / int_fe0330fb
comment
Brick Joke: Martin, looking for a new project after being fired from his job, floats the idea of writing about Russian history several times, to complete disinterest and discouragement from his friends and colleagues. In the epilogue, we learn that he did in fact write several successful books about Russian history.
 Philomena / int_fe0330fb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Philomena / int_fe0330fb
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 Philomena
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Philomena / int_fe0330fb
 Philomena / int_ff7f34c5
type
Pet the Dog
 Philomena / int_ff7f34c5
comment
Pet the Dog: Sister Annunciata, one of the young nuns, obtains a photograph of Anthony and gives it to Philomena.
 Philomena / int_ff7f34c5
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1.0
 Philomena / int_ff7f34c5
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Philomena / int_ff7f34c5
 Philomena / int_name
type
ItemName
 Philomena / int_name
comment
 Philomena / int_name
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1.0
 Philomena / int_name
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Philomena / int_name
 Philomena / int_name
itemName
Philomena

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Philomena
hasFeature
Dueling-Stars Movie / int_e3d12fc5
 Philomena
hasFeature
Films of 2010–2014 / int_e3d12fc5
 Philomena
hasFeature
The '50s / int_e3d12fc5
 Philomena
hasFeature
Turn of the Millennium / int_e3d12fc5