Amazing Grace (2007) PG
I have always loved the notion that a single, passionate, person can make a positive difference. In their communities, countries, and ultimately their world.
Numerous examples from history spring to mind. After watching the 2006 Independent Film, Amazing Grace, one of this week's What You Missed features - William Wilberforce, an English parliamentarian of the late 18th Century, and anti-slavery campaigner, is now chief among them.
Told with the classic feel of a Pride and Prejudice and supported by an ensemble cast of dreams, Amazing Grace tells an important story: A story of one man, and his fight for freedom. Not his own personal freedoms, but those of a group who, at that time in history, were barely considered human. And while a fight, it is not the combative, in-your-face freedom fighter rebellion that has become so romanticized by Hollywood.
No, this is a story of a fight for freedoms through 'The System'. It is about a single man, in a position of elected trust, who expertly, and passionately, works the system through persuasive patience. It is a movie that teaches us that the gravity of the injustice doesn't always justify violence, civil disobedience, or terror. And let's face it, what more grave an injustice was there, in terms of breaching human rights, than the slave trade of the 18th Century?
That is not to say that things went smoothly for Wilberforce (played to perfection by Fantastic Four's Ioan Griffud). Quite the opposite. As the movie opens, a clearly unhealthy Wilberforce is wending his way to a relative's manor in the English countryside to recuperate from the physical tolls his parliamentary battles have taken on him.
What's more, we quickly learn that he is considering giving up his 15-year battle for the abolition of slavery. After so many years, and in his view, so many failures, Wilberforce is spent, and has begun to question the worth of his efforts.
At this moment, an unexpected person comes into his life in the form of Barbara Spooner (Romola Garai), an attractive and intelligent woman with a penchant for telling William how things really are in no uncertain terms. What starts as a sparring session soon turns into sweet affection and regard. It is through this process of re-telling his experiences in parliament to Barbara that we are brought into the present day, and his realization of how far he has come, and just what his efforts have meant to so many.
With Barbara now by his side as his wife, renewed both body and spirit, as it were, Wilberforce continues on in the battle he begun, almost 20 years earlier. And the rest is truly history!
A quality piece of filmmaking at every turn, Amazing Grace is a visual feast, shot with appealing and often breathtaking cinematography. The script is sharp, with plenty of endearing, witty, English self-effacement. The outstanding supporting cast - including such notables as Michael Gambon (Dumbledore in the last 3 Harry Potters) and Benedict Cumberbatch. And Albert Finney not only supports Amazing Grace, but also lifts it to ethereal heights.
A film for the whole family (though an attention span is required) Amazing Grace will please all who watch it, and thrill most.
By Brett Stringer
