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Review #412 of 365
Movie Review of Amazing Grace (2007) [PG] 111 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.75
Where Viewed: United Artists Colorado Center 9 & IMAX, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 1 March 2007
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough)
Written by: Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four) • Benedict Cumberpatch (Starter for Ten) • Stephen Campbell Moore (A Good Woman) • Nicholas Day ("New Tricks") • Nicholas Farrell (Driving Lessons) • Albert Finney (A Good Year) • Michael Gambon (The Omen) • Romola Garai (Scoop) • Georgie Glen (Dating Ray Fenwick) • Ciarán Hinds (The Nativity Story) • David Hunt ("24") • Toby Jones (The Painted Veil) • Sylvestra Le Touzel ("The Amazing Mrs Pritchard") • Youssou N'Dour (Picc Mi) • Bill Paterson ("Sea of Souls") • Rufus Sewell (The Holiday)
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Without disrespect, I should think my countrypersons should be astonished by the story that comes to life in director Michael Apted's latest film, Amazing Grace. Astonished, I say, because so few of us, sadly really know the history of the origins of our nation that well save for Paul Revere's famous ride, George Washington crossing the Delaware in a row boat, some skirmishes with British generals, and some help from the French whom we now mostly lambaste due to their current politics rather than giving the benefit of the doubt due to their former politics. Most of us probably fail to realize that during the 1700s, slavery was a great enterprise among the British and helped to manufacture brilliant wealth for many who lavished in the products of free labor. Nor does it probably occur to many of us that the practice of slavery was abolished in the UK long before our own Civil War nearly split our nation into two pieces over this decidedly abhorrent and now unthinkable practice. The wounds in our own nations still run decidedly deep and will take generations more to heal. Screenwriter Steven Knight embraces the life of William Wilberforce, the Minister of Parliament from Hull, elected at the ripe age of 21, and his subsequent life-long pursuit of justice and equity. Most famous for his speeches to end slavery in the UK and his school chum relationship with the future Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, William Willberforce most certainly could be seen as one of the most crucial forces of reason to have risen forth in the politics of the 1700s in the world. His weapons were his tongue and wit battling his elder statesmen with daggers of humor and rhetoric. Caring for the equity of treatment for all human beings including the poor working classes and labor classes in England as well as those who were actually enslaved, he also eventually worked on the ethical treatment of animals as well. While his work may not have seemed brave by the standards of war heroes, he accomplished by great debate and civil service, what it took the deaths of thousands of young men to accomplish in the USA. He took on the establishment and the powerful at incredible cost to his own physical and mental well-being—a fact brought out well by the highly credible performance delivered by Ioan Gruffudd. Equally talented, Benedict Cumberpatch, brings to life William Pitt the Younger who, while great friends with Wilberforce, becomes Prime Minister. The two then are able to work toward achieving the goal of ending slavery which both view as a dark blotch on the moral sanctity of the British people.
"…exquisitely captured…an important and impacting film."
The film is part historical biography and part courtroom drama. With talented acting around, Sir Albert Finney joins in as John Newton, a former slave ship captain who believes there are 20,000 ghosts of those who died aboard, clamoring for revenge on his soul. He serves Wilbeforce well by guiding him to stay in politics rather than becoming a minister as his work will carry more long-term impact. It is also he who brings in the song, "Amazing Grace" that becomes the inspirational banner for Wilberforce's efforts. While the historical impact of the film is astounding, and there can be little doubt as to the significance, the film does get bogged down at times with Wilberforce's meddling friends who commit their life's resources to getting him married off and constant scenes of Wilberforce in great stomach pain. Shaving 20 minutes off the run time would have heightened the over all impact of the film. Perhaps, too, Rufus Sewell, cast as Thomas Clarkson, the man most driven to Abolition campaign, was a bit of an odd choice. No matter how hard he might try, he has the look of a villain not a great moral compass. Toby Jones pops up as the hilariously ridiculous, pompous Duke of Clarence providing an offset to the tense themes.
Overall, Amazing Grace serves well, despite perhaps its excessive length. The time period has been exquisitely captured, the brilliance of the spoken English language of the time known for its eloquence and polite yet scathing nuanced verbal battles well preserved, and the scrumptious civility generally afforded to all people in this ultra-polite society duly noted, all of which work together yielding an important and impacting film.
Overall, Amazing Grace serves well, despite perhaps its excessive length. The time period has been exquisitely captured, the brilliance of the spoken English language of the time known for its eloquence and polite yet scathing nuanced verbal battles well preserved, and the scrumptious civility generally afforded to all people in this ultra-polite society duly noted, all of which work together yielding an important and impacting film.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Amazing Grace (2007)
Cast Members
Ioan Gruffudd
• Stephen Campbell Moore • Nicholas DayNicholas Farrell
• Albert Finney • Michael GambonRomola Garai
• Georgie Glen • Ciarán HindsDavid Hunt
• Toby Jones • Sylvestra Le TouzelYoussou N'Dour
• Bill Paterson • Rufus SewellDirector
Michael Apted
Writer
Steven Knight
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Amazing Grace (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Director Michael Apted's latest film, Amazing Grace, may astonish most USAers. Depicting the life of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), the Minister of Parliament from Hull, elected at the ripe age of 21, the film focuses on his subsequent life-long pursuit of Abolition along with the help of his compatriot, William Pitt the Younger (Benedict Cumberpatch) who became Prime Minister of England. Wilberforce's weapons were his tongue and wit battling his elder statesmen with daggers of humor and rhetoric. Albert Finney plays John Newton, a former slave ship captain who believes 20,000 ghosts of those who died aboard are clamoring for his soul. Amazing Grace serves well, despite perhaps its excessive length. The time period has been exquisitely captured, and the scrumptious civility generally afforded to all people in this ultra-polite society duly noted, both of which work together yielding an important and impacting film.
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