Movie Review: Amazing Grace Challenging Drama for Families

Written by Jennifer Redmond

Film/Music

Amazing Grace (PG) is beautiful not only for what it is, but for what it is not. A poignant and rather complex depiction of the 20-year struggle of parliamentarian William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade in 18th century Britain, this film could easily have become mired in sensational images and, as is often the case with such efforts, a melodramatic score. Director Michael Apted instead relies on solid acting and Steven Knight’s moving and often witty screenplay to tell a heretofore rather obscure yet inspiring story. Filmed in Britain with a distinctly British cast (most notably Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell), Amazing Grace features Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd as the convincingly driven and often haunted Wilberforce. Wilberforce’s youthful friendship with William Pitt the Younger (superbly acted by Benedict Cumberbatch), who becomes Prime Minister at the tender age of 24, is the catalyst which launches his political career. His obsession, coupled with chronic colitis and a resulting laudanum addiction, nearly kills him but for the influence of his soon-to-be wife Barbara Spooner, enthusiastically played by Romola Garai. Wilberforce’s consistent inspiration is penitent slave-trader and mentor John Newton (Albert Finney), whose hymn “Amazing Grace” lends the film its title.

Flashbacks and extended scenes involving parliamentary banter can be difficult for the younger set to follow. (Ahhh, the beauty of DVD viewing! Explanations were frequently required for our 11 year-old, who is probably a year or two shy of fully grasping the story line.) While descriptions of the horrors of the slave trade are appropriately shocking, they are brief. The filmmakers have been criticized for being too vague, for omitting visual imagery which would bring the atrocities to life for modern viewers. For this parent, the graphic descriptions were quite enough.

Critics have generally praised and recommended this film, yet some have chastised it as being preachy and heavy-handed. In truth, Amazing Grace is a rather complicated drama about a man of God with a mission to uphold the dignity of all people. Sometimes broken and discouraged, his conscience propels him forward to ultimate success. What is not to love about this example? Amazing Grace is uplifting and highly recommended for families with mature adolescent and teenage children.

For information on the film and related educational materials, check out www.amazinggracemovie.com