2008 Woodie Awards
'Amazing Grace:' A mere history lesson
by Corinne Clemetsen
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Mosaic
"Amazing Grace"
Bristol Bay Productions
Rating: 1 and a 1/2 stars (out of 4)
An elderly couple and six middle-aged teacher-types, who were probably previewing it for their history class students, made up the theatre's attendance for "Amazing Grace."
The movie follows the life of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) - the crazy English government guy who protested slavery for years to the sound of Parliament's laughter. One teacher in the front row claps at the monumental scene when Wilberforce decides to create the abolition committee. The applause is well deserved, sure, but I'm not about to start clapping during "Amazing Grace."
Speaking of "Amazing Grace," the song, there isn't a role for the inspirational hymn in the movie at all. Wilberforce sings it in what's supposed to be an impressing production - but really isn't at all - and it's heard once again at a wedding. Maybe I was just expecting some powerful, gospel performance with clapping. If you are too, I'm bursting your bubble now.
Other than the nonexistence of a beautiful hymn, the main problem with the film isn't the acting, because the historical figure representations are done extremely well. It's also certainly not an artistic fault - the colors, symbolism and set decoration are entertaining in themselves. However, the problem lies in portraying the importance of the time period.
The viewers know what is going to happen - Wilberforce struggles in debates, nearly dies from overworking and is suddenly inspired after the war with France (see, I've already lost you in the whirlwind of English history far blocked out of our 21st century minds) to try once again.
And surprise, surprise - success!
The difficulty is in building some sort of climax, bringing the audience into the movie to care when Wilberforce reaches his goal. But the movie doesn't, so the audience doesn't.
Suggestion: if you're looking for a date night movie, this is definitely not the pick. Your significant other will immediately deem you a nerd. But, if you're looking for an interesting, historically accurate, yet moderately-entertaining film for a class learning about the abolition movement - ding, ding, ding - you've found a winner.
Bristol Bay Productions
Rating: 1 and a 1/2 stars (out of 4)
An elderly couple and six middle-aged teacher-types, who were probably previewing it for their history class students, made up the theatre's attendance for "Amazing Grace."
The movie follows the life of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) - the crazy English government guy who protested slavery for years to the sound of Parliament's laughter. One teacher in the front row claps at the monumental scene when Wilberforce decides to create the abolition committee. The applause is well deserved, sure, but I'm not about to start clapping during "Amazing Grace."
Speaking of "Amazing Grace," the song, there isn't a role for the inspirational hymn in the movie at all. Wilberforce sings it in what's supposed to be an impressing production - but really isn't at all - and it's heard once again at a wedding. Maybe I was just expecting some powerful, gospel performance with clapping. If you are too, I'm bursting your bubble now.
Other than the nonexistence of a beautiful hymn, the main problem with the film isn't the acting, because the historical figure representations are done extremely well. It's also certainly not an artistic fault - the colors, symbolism and set decoration are entertaining in themselves. However, the problem lies in portraying the importance of the time period.
The viewers know what is going to happen - Wilberforce struggles in debates, nearly dies from overworking and is suddenly inspired after the war with France (see, I've already lost you in the whirlwind of English history far blocked out of our 21st century minds) to try once again.
And surprise, surprise - success!
The difficulty is in building some sort of climax, bringing the audience into the movie to care when Wilberforce reaches his goal. But the movie doesn't, so the audience doesn't.
Suggestion: if you're looking for a date night movie, this is definitely not the pick. Your significant other will immediately deem you a nerd. But, if you're looking for an interesting, historically accurate, yet moderately-entertaining film for a class learning about the abolition movement - ding, ding, ding - you've found a winner.
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