"Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner, and Christ is a great Saviour." -John Newton, Amazing Grace
This is a beautiful movie.
And I don't describe movies like that very often.
Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce's fight for the abolition of the slave trade in the British empire. It tells the story of his struggle with the British Parliament; the story of his struggles with failing health; the story of times of sadness and joy; the story of triumph.
Inspirational? I think yes.
I'm afraid that I can't really review this from the historical angle because I don't know much about the actual William Wilberforce, so I'll be coming at this from the angle of story, which I can safely say that I know a bit more about.
So. Cinematic aspects.
The Acting: Ioan Gruffudd's portrayal of William Wilberforce is fantastic. I don't know if it's accurate to the historical person, but from a story standpoint it's perfect to the point that I was cheering for Wilberforce after he said one line. In the movie trailer.
The Score: The movie's soundtrack is so beautiful and fits the movie so well that it makes me want to cry whenever I hear the main theme. My only complaint is that it's always over too fast whenever I listen to it. Can each of the songs be about five minutes longer, please? :P
The Costumes: The costumes fit the characters very well (sometimes I honestly wish that people still dressed like that) and are true to the time period, as far as I know. I'm not exactly an expert. :P
The Dialogue: Maybe I've started noticing things like this more now, but it isn't very often that a movie causes me to honestly say "My compliments to the scriptwriter" less than twenty minutes in. The dialogue impressed me that much. It had the two things that I look for--clever, playful bantering between friends, and epic profoundness. I want my book to have dialogue like that.
Story-wise, this movie is amazing. Most of the movie is dark and serious, and there isn't really very much happiness over all until the end, but that ending is wonderful because of it. And isn't that really the best kind of story? After all, good news isn't good until you hear the bad news, and triumph isn't impressive unless you know what someone's triumphed over.
William Wilberforce gave his health and youth for the cause that God called him to fight for, and he was rewarded--he lived to see his anti-slavery bill passed.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
~Kellyn~
And Amazing Grace played on a bagpipe is without a doubt one of my favorite sounds ever.
