"The book is a film that takes place in the mind of the reader." ~ Paulo Coelho

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Movie Review: Amazing Grace (2006)

Hello, everyone!!

For my movie review today, I am going to review one of my favorite movies of all time! This movie has everything, it is inspirational, hopeful, beautiful, and it has an all star cast. If you haven't seen this movie, you really need to!

This review is spoiler free, because: My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Presenting:

Amazing Grace (2006):
Based on: The true story:
'"It will soon change."
"Only if we change it."'
When in Parliament, there are many different things to think about, and William Wilberforce has become aware of the slave trade. He knows that it is a terrible thing, but isn't sure if he can stop it. His heart sings the song that his old preacher, John Newton, wrote. John was the captain of slave ships for many years, but finally repented, turned to God, and wrote the song "Amazing Grace". It would be a lot of work, and William doesn't know if he is strong enough. With the sides of Parliament against him, will he persevere or will the fight be too much to bear?
"Do you intend to use your beautiful voice to praise the Lord, or change the world?"
Genre: Biography, Period Drama.
Length: approx. 116 minutes.
Costumes: 10! They are all perfect.
My favorite: I know that whenever you see pictures from this movie, this one is featured, but look at that hat! It is pretty impressive.
Script: 8, they use the Lord's name in vain a few times (but honestly, it's what they did in those days.) They also call people bad names, but it is seen in a bad light.
"The water has been here a thousand years, how can we be late?"
Crew:
Directed by: Michael Apted.
Written by: Steven Knight.
Starring:
Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce. "You're waking me up to give me medicine, to help me sleep?"
Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner.
Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt the Younger.
Michael Gambon as Charles James Fox.
Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson.
Youssou N'Dour as Olaudah Equiano. "Your life is a thread, either it breaks or it doesn't."
Albert Finney as John Newton. "I don't hear the nib scratching the paper."
Ciarán Hinds as Banastre Tarleton.
Toby Jones as William, Duke of Clarence.
Nicholas Farrell as Henry Thornton.
Sylvestra Le Touzel as Marianne Thornton.
Jeremy Swift as Richard the Butler.
Stephen Campbell Moore as James Stephen.
Bill Paterson as Henry Dundas.
Nicholas Day as Sir William Dolben.
Georgie Glen as Hannah More.
Cinematography: 10! Oh, I love it! I love the scenes in nature and how it focuses on different people.
Cinematography by: Remi Adefarasin.
Music: 10, it has a lovely score, and of course, the song "Amazing Grace".
Music by: David Arnold.
Quotes: 10! I seriously could just type out the whole movie, it is that quotable. The only reason I didn't is because I ran out of room.
"Why is it you only feel the thorns in your feet when you stop running?"
Oscars won: None! They weren't even nominated for anything, but I really think they should have won as many as possible.
Storyline: 10. I feel like I haven't been the best explaining the reasons for this category. One day I'll do a post on it. Anyway, there is slavery, drinking, suggestive things, taking drugs, BUT they are all shown as bad things and are trying to get rid of them. It also has someone who has lost fingers, but it's only me who gets freaked out by that.
"If you make the world better in one way, it becomes better in many ways."
Good For: Everyone!
Age Range: I watched it when I was really little, and I was very confused. I had a feeling that it was an amazing movie, but I just didn't understand. But, I'd say that anyone who is over 10 would understand.
"Remember that God made all men equal."
Overall Score: 9.5!!
Bonus thoughts:
Oh, what a wonderful film. The all-star cast is amazing. This is the only thing that I have seen Ioan Gruffudd and Romola Garai in, but they are wonderful. I have seen Michael Gambon, Albert Finney, and Benedict Cumberbatch in other things, but these are my favorite roles for all of them. I also have only ever seen Rufus Sewell as a villain, but he does such a good job here!
Now, this movie also has such powerful religious messages.
'"You found God, sir?"
"I think He found me."'
William Wilberforce is thinking about going into the church, but all of his friends are trying to convince him to stay in Parliament. This is actually something that has been on my mind recently, so it was wonderful to once again watch it play out.
This line that Albert Finney says as John Newton is so powerful (he should have won an Oscar), that I always cry:
"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: 
I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

I cannot tell you enough times to watch it if you haven't. Go! Now! You'll thank me!

Thanks for reading! Please tell me I'm not the only person who has seen this.

MovieCritic

24 comments:

  1. Great review! This is one of my favorite movies! I still cry every time I watch it. Have you ever seen Amistad? If you loved Amazing Grace, you would really enjoy that movie too.

    Also, this is one of the few reviews I’ve read of Amazing Grace that didn’t make a fuss about Barbara’s low cut dresses! That was the style back then.

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    1. Thank you! Oh yes, there are many, many tears when I watch this movie. I haven't seen Amistad! I looked it up and it sounds good. Thanks for the recommendation! :)

      Yeah, sometimes I'm really picky with the costumes, but not usually when it comes to Period Dramas because you're right, it was the style back then!

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  2. Wow, this movie looks really good! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It is fantastic! If you get to see it let me know what you think! :)

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  3. Ohhhh I love this movie so much! Definitely a favorite. I love Wilberforce so much. :)

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    1. Yay, I'm glad that I'm not the only one! He is so wonderful. :)

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  4. I love this movie! But it's the only thing you've seen Ioan in? What a terrible shame! I hope you can see his Horatio Hornblower movies somehow -- the first four are particularly awesome, though I like the other four a lot too.

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    1. Oh, I was wondering if you had seen it! I guess when I was little I saw 102 Dalmatians, but I don't remember it. Horatio Hornblower? I'll have to try them if I ever get the chance! Thanks for the recommendation!

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    2. Of course I've seen it! Ioan is one of my favorite actors! I've been a fan of his since 1999, when I first saw the first 4 Horatio Hornblower movies. They're spectacular. Costume drama swashbuckling at its finest.

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    3. Now that I followed that link I totally remember reading that. Where has my memory gone? Oh!!! You had me at swashbuckling!!! I love swashbuckler movies! I need to watch those ASAP.

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  5. I have seen the advertisement, but not the full movie. Great review! Sounds like a great movie!

    astorydetective.blogspot.com

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    1. It definitely is! I hope that you will have the chance to see the full movie sometime, it is definitely worth it!

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  6. I LOVEEE this movie! When I saw Benedict Cumberbatch the second time around (not fully recognizing him back when I was in middle school), I screamed haha.
    It's a really good movie -- I adore it. <3

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    1. Really? That was the same with my sister and me! We were too young the first time, but the second time we knew right away that it was Benedict Cumberbatch! Oh, same. <3

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  7. I LOVE THIS MOVIE.
    This is actually the first movie I saw/liked Benedict Cumberbatch in and for a long time after, this was the character I recognized him as, lol.

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    1. YES. Everyone should see it at some point!
      Same! I've seen other things with him in it (Sherlock, Dr. Strange), but I always think of him as William Pitt! :)

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  8. This is one of my favorite films!! Thanks for the review!

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    1. Yes, it is in my top five of all time! Thanks for reading, Lilly!

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  9. Hi MovieCritic,

    I just stumbled onto this blog, and I am so glad you reviewed Amazing Grace!! One of my favorite movies. I remember watching it when I was younger and not fully appreciating it. Definitely enjoyed more the second time watching it. Love how Ioan Groffeud and Benedict Cumberbatch did such a great job in their roles. Oh, Yes! Hornblower is amazing too. Great TV series to beige on.

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    1. Hello!

      I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my review! I went and checked out your blog and I'll have to read more of your posts. :) I was exactly the same! I watched it and thought that it was boring, but that I was missing something...when I rewatched it I loved it. They are both fantastic. Now with two recommendations I really have to watch it!

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    2. Thanks for checking out my blog. I just got started and am hoping to post more soon. Yeah, I think watching it when I was older helped me understand what exactly was going on. :)

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    3. Sure thing! I love to review books, but I also love to read other people's reviews. Exactly. :)

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"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, where you stop your story." -Orson Welles