Thursday, June 12, 2008

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (2006)

Amazing Grace tells the true story of politician William Wilberforce, who spent 15 years trying and succeeding in getting the English Government to abolish slavery. Told with a cast of fabulous British cast, Ioan Gruffardd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and many more who make the story come alive. I did daydream a bit, in some parts of the movie because I was so distracted by their beautiful clothes. Why did men stop dressing like this? I am sure in the real 1790s, they didn't wash very much and probably smelt really bad - but they sure looked great in their leggings and fantastic jackets (they could ditch the smelly wigs).

This great story is bought alive though by the superb casting. It would almost be worth just listening to, turning the picture off and letting all those lovely accents just tell the story. I also LOVE the fact that the UK film and television industry uses actors of all ages, one without botox and old men and women can look their age and look great. I have become turned off by the CSI franchise, Desperate Housewives and many other Hollywood produced TV, which only use actors who look like models. You know the villains are truly bad if they are fat, wear glasses or worst of all look normal!

I'm going to give it a hefty 4/5. Definitely worth watching on a quiet night with a glass of sherry or port (neither of which I drink - but they seem appropriate).

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