REVIEW: Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace:

Director:Michael Apted

Writer (WGA):Steven Knight (written by)

Release Date: 23 February 2007 (USA)

"It showed so much promise!" That's what I said after watching Amazing Grace. If someone were to ask me to describe Amazing Grace in one word, that word would be "Disappointing." If they asked me to describe it in two words, I would say "Very Disappointing."

"The film opens as the 18th century is trailing to a close. Eight years of fruitless effort promoting abolition have left Wilberforce (a junior member of Parliament in the House of Commons) demoralized and depleted. One observer comments that he's given his youth and his health to a failed cause. Chronic illness has forced Wilberforce to retreat to the home of his cousins, Henry and Marianne Thornton to rest and re-assess his wherewithal to keep championing an unpopular idea.

The Thorntons introduce Wilber (as his friends call him) to Barbara Spooner, a fiery young woman whose zeal for the abolition movement matches his own. And as he recounts his history to her, lengthy flashbacks fill in his backstory and introduce us to an idiosyncratic cast of supporting characters who play important roles in the battle against slavery.

Among these is the ex-slave trader turned pastor and musician John Newton, who serves as Wilberforce's mentor. The young reformer's best friend is William Pitt, whose political ambitions lead him to the position of prime minister at the tender age of 24. Pitt introduces Wilberforce to two other important reformers, the freethinking (and free-drinking) itinerant preacher Thomas Clarkson and an erudite former slave named Oloudah Equiano. Finally, an old fox coincidentally named Lord Fox switches sides after being convinced of Wilberforce's argument. The cagey older politician's help is invaluable as Wilberforce seeks to outmaneuver parliamentary nemeses Lord Tarleton and the Duke of Clarence. "

- Plugged In Online

It has a wonderful script, wonderful cinematography, wonderful music, wonderful sets, and excellent actors. So whats the problem? The immodest dress of lead character, Barbara Spooner played by Romola Garai. We had some friends over for a movie night awhile back. We thought this would be a good time to see Amazing Grace, so my brother picked it up at the rental store. We had our popcorn and drinks and we prepared ourselves to watch this movie for the first time. We couldn't prepare enough.

Immodesty wasn't the only issue. In the background of several shots, inappropriate statues could be clearly seen. Also there was much foul language and drunkenness. I know that was what it was like during the 18 century, but that doesn't mean the audience has to see it. Think of the many sinful things that are happening today, do they need to be shown in graphic detail?

Some of you might say, "Where have you been? That stuff is in all Hollywood movies." I know that it's common in Hollywood movies today and we expect that from non-Christians. But when you attach "Christian" to a movie, I think you need to be very careful. As Christian filmmakers, we need to set our films apart from the world!

Some of you might say, "Are we supposed to not watch anything?" If you enjoy watching wholesome, God-honoring films, I suggest you go to www.independentchristianfilms.com.

I just hope he does better with his next film,