by Chris Alexion, Copyright March 18, 2007, all rights reserved. 272 views
Can a movie set in the past and glorifying Christian protagonists be relevant and entertaining to modern audiences? That's exactly what Amazing Grace, starring Ioan Gruffudd as British abolitionist William Wilberforce, sets out to do.
And in large measure it succeeds. Amazing Grace is daring. It tells the story of a famous Christian statesman whose faith directly impacted his politics and the world. Further, the film relies on the tension of its struggle and an inspirational climax to capture viewers–without high-octane action or steamy sex scenes. For a movie opening in the shadow of the Spartan war epic 300, those are significant hurdles.
Director Michael Apted overcomes these obstacles by using flashbacks to carry us between the present and Wilberforce's original attempt to ban the slave trade over a decade earlier, keeping the story fairly well-paced. Further, Gruffudd's job as Wilberforce is excellent, supported nicely by Albert Finney as the aging John Newton. Some memorable bits of dialogue stand out as well, such as when William Pitt tells Wilberforce that as his prime minister, he must urge caution. What, asks Wilberforce, does Pitt say as a friend? "Oh, to hell with caution," Pitt answers.
Another plus is writer Steven Knight's refusal to edit out the Christian framework that supported Wilberforce's fight. In the current scene, which blends all absolute values into a lukewarm political oatmeal, the temptation must have been strong. Wilberforce could have been cast as a vague idealist who preached a bland human brotherhood and mushy sentimentalism. Instead, Knight gives us an imperfect but solid Christian who wrestles with the world as he sees it and how he knows it ought to be.
Yet this idealism is tempered with the realities of politics. When Wilberforce is converted to the faith of his youth, he's torn between politics and the ministry. A pietistic specter hovers over the film until Wilberforce realizes that the work of God and the work of statecraft can be accomplished together.
All this isn't to say that Amazing Grace is without flaws. Its length was one drawback–despite Apted's handling, the story did get bogged down in a few places. And though Gruffudd himself was superb, some awkward acting haunted the movie, as did a few stuffy scenes that made the film seem at times like a BBC remake of some famous novel. Too, more screentime should have been given to Wilberforce's conversion; since his faith clearly drove his political efforts, we need to understand more about this man and how he came by his strong convictions.
Like Newton and Wilberforce themselves, Amazing Grace isn't perfect, but it breaks the modern film mold and tells a great story.
Isn't that a sweet sound?
1 • J. • March 18, 2007 • 8:18 PM
And the rabbit died of kindness! ./chrisalexion_2008-10_wordpress_export_files/icon_wink.gif alt=- class=wp-smiley
2 • CalLady from HSA • March 31, 2007 • 4:52 PM
Yes, it is a sweet sound. I learned some stuff from watching the movie. (Namely, that there is a connection between WW's work and the War of 1812. His privateer/flag bill would cause the US harm.) I'm glad that they focused on WW's point of view. For example, we didn't see anything that happened on the slave ships, etc. unless it was his dream.
I plan to ask for the DVD for my birthday (in a while, actually).
So, Mr. Wilberforce, I understand you're interested in botany.
-CalLady from HSA
3 • Abigail • December 23, 2007 • 7:22 PM
Ioan Gruffudd did a great job as William Wilberforce! Wow, what perseverance in a cause he knew to be right. I love the end of the movie.
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