NOW ON DVD

AMAZING GRACE
Rated PG
Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon

Brian’s Rating       

Amazing Grace, now on DVD, is alternately a tedious British history lesson and an inspirational work. But it’s not enough of either to warrant my enthusiastic support or my critical wrath.

Just when you start to check your watch for the running time, Amazing Grace serves up a wonderful onscreen moment that brings you to the verge of tears… before putting you to sleep again. In the eighteenth century, William Wilberforce dedicated his life to the abolition of England’s slave trade and it almost killed him. Literally.

This is a tale of conviction, sacrifice, and dedication. But it’s also a lot of powdered wigs and puffery. Albert Finney is exceptional as the former slave-ship captain who penned the immortal tune that gives the movie its name, but fans of the HBO series Rome will be pleased to see two of its stars among the stuffed shirts in Parliament.

You’ll have to flip a coin on this one. I could go either way.