Movies of the Week
Amazing Grace, Sharkwater and Reign Over Me
See it or skip it? This week's new movie releases By Paul Matthews
Amazing Grace
Michael Apted’s film about British abolitionist William Wilberforce does its damnedest to infuse as much dynamism as possible into one man’s penitential struggle to outlaw slavery. The film begins in 1797, with an ill Wilberforce (Iaon Gruffudd) facing a mid-career ebb. While vacationing with his cousin, he meets Barbara Spooner (the gorgeous Romola Garai), who slowly coaxes out the story of his life. With that, we are taken back to the 1780s, where the young parliamentarian, torn between evangelical Christianity and politics, was inspired to take on the abolitionist cause in an unreceptive government. Apted (Seven Up!, Gorillas in the Mist) demonstrates a remarkable eye for historical detail, as well as an uncanny ability to capture the thrill of a heated Commons debate, but unfortunately, his best efforts are hampered by the protagonist’s inability to engage us. Wilberforce’s cause is an exciting one, but the character is a solemn bore—a fact that is set into high relief by the captivating cast around him (Albert Finney and Rufus Sewell co-star). As a dramatized history lesson, Amazing Grace is as good as it gets. As an epic tale of righteous struggle against adversity, Apted’s film often struggles to find its pulse. WAIT FOR THE REPS
Amazing Grace is now playing at the Cumberland (159 Cumberland St.), Coliseum Scarborough (300 Borough Dr.) and others
