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Movie Review - Amazing Grace (2007)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Michael Apted |
| Starring: |
Ioan Gruffudd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, and Rufus Sewell |
| Rated: |
PG (for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language) |
| Length: |
111 minutes |
| Genre: |
Biography/Historical Drama |
| Tagline: |
Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget. |
| Studio: |
Roadside Attractions |
| Website: |
Amazing Grace |
| Release: |
February 23, 2007 |
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PLOT
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The idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament in 18th century England, endeavoring to end
slavery in the British Empire. Wilberforce ensues.
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JOHNNY'S TAKE
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William Wilberforce. Sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon superhero, doesn't it? Well, Wilberforce was a
hero of a different kind. He was the most committed abolitionist in England during a time when that was an
extremely unpopular position to take, given the fact that Great Britain was built on the backs of slaves.
In today's world, slavery is usually mentioned in conjunction with some sort of rebuke of the U.S. and that time
in our history. For those of you not well-versed in the history of the slave trade, this movie has news for you -
the U.S. had nothing on Europe.
It's not often that I walk out of a theater possessing more real knowledge than when I walked in, but I owe
Amazing Grace and its cast and crew thanks for the education. I was aware of Wilberforce and his desire
to end slavery, but I was uninformed regarding the details.
Wilberforce was a man who struggled. He struggled with health, and he struggled with whether he should do the
work of God or become a political activist. Reformers in Parliament were seen as rebels (and sometimes thought
to be crazy), so why not just sit in the fields and talk to God and enjoy His nature?
John Newton, a former slave trader-turned-pastor and author of Amazing Grace, helps Wilberforce (whose
faith is presented honorably and without aggression) realize that perhaps the best way he can serve God is through
his political influence. If he doesn't fight for the abolition of the slave trade then who will? Does he want to
be haunted by the same ghosts that Newton can't escape?
Wilberforce's struggle wasn't one of over-night resolution. It was a long, hard battle waged against adamant and
heavy opposition. A very in-depth story to tell in a 2-hour time frame, indeed, but thanks to convincing actors,
smart and filth-free dialogue, and a beautifully-represented time period, Amazing Grace succeeds and tells
the story very well.
Hollywood finally delivers a movie that I was able to sit and watch with my mother without ever being even slightly
uncomfortable? Now that, my friends, is amazing.
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ODDS & ENDS
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- There are still over 27 million people enslaved today. That's more than twice the amount at the height of the
colonial period.
- Wilberforce fought his battle for over two decades.
- Surprisingly, Rufus Sewell doesn't play a bad guy in the movie.
- This is the first screening Johnny's mom has attended since Firewall, a movie
she deemed "cheesy."
- Mama Betts enjoyed the film.
- Johnny loves the bagpipes version of Amazing Grace. It caused him to nearly get teary-eyed during the
funeral scene in Tommy Boy. That's right; I admit it. The version at the end of this film is excellent.
- Ioan Gruffudd was in The Fantastic Four with Jessica Alba who was in
Into the Blue with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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There are only a few mild profanities ("hell," "arse") so there's no need to be concerned with inappropriate
content. However, this isn't exactly the type of movie that's gonna hold the attention of too many pre-teens
out there.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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No real surprises here.
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THE GIST
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If you like historical dramas, especially period pieces that provide a little inspiration, then give
Amazing Grace a look.
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