the Dalaverse

Dad and I saw "Amazing Grace" tonight, and it was very good. Amidst a ridiculously talented cast, Ioan Gruffudd (I finally remember the extra D!) was superb. I realize I don't have to convince many of you reading this, but seriously, it was a phenomenal performance. I don't think the stars have aligned on this one to make Ioan the star he deserves to be -- the audience for the film isn't large enough -- but it ought to be evidence enough. Albert Finney as John Newton and Benedict Cumberbatch as Pitt the Younger were the standout supporting actors, with nice turns (and some mild-mannered comic relief) from Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell (and I almost forgot Yousou N'Dour, who was great). Romola Garai was completely charming as Barbara Wilberforce, which was a surprise to me since I'm mostly familiar with her from "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" (which is a totally AWESOME dancing movie and don't let anybody tell you differently). I very much liked the way her character was written, especially as there was only one other woman in the film.

At first the narrative device was a bit confusing -- it starts out with older Wilberforce recuperating in Bath and flashes back to the beginning of his fight fifteen years earlier. I prefer my historical epics fairly linear. However, once we meet Barbara and the frame becomes Wilberforce telling her the story of long defeat, it's much more natural -- and then it allows the story to catch up with the present, and it does become linear. I just really liked the way it ended up.

Also, I should mention that though there are "fifteen years earlier" and "present day" titles, they're not necessary because the make-up is terrific. It's some of the most convincing aged/ill make-up I've ever seen, and some credit is also due to Ioan because...his eyes change. More good make-up: the ageing on Pitt (his face gets a bit florid) and the tan/highlights on the character who's just returned from Jamaica. It sounds a silly thing to praise, but I was really impressed with how they portrayed the passage of time on these men. It's not a great deal of time, but those years show.

I will admit I knew virtually nothing about Wilberforce and his stiory before the movie, but if historical slash is your thing, there is some serious Wilberforce/Pitt subtext here, particularly the scene where they're racing barefoot in the early morning dew (I KNOW, and there are puppies!) and at Pitt's deathbed (?). I loved Barbara, but I would totally read some pre-marriage, young Wilberforce/Pitt. I'm looking forward to Cumberbatch as William Carey in The Other Boleyn Girl; he is pretty. Not my favorite kind of pretty -- i.e. dark-haired and preferably green-eyed, although he does have the slender Brit thing going for him -- but pretty nonetheless.

I think that's about it. Fair warning: it is a morality tale and there are a few preachy moments, but Ioan sells the character so well that it didn't really bother me. Desson Howe said it was dry and unegaging, but I was fully engaged with the characters, the dramatic impact of the story, and the Parliament scenes. I would definitely see more of Michael Apted's work based on this movie.

My one real complaint is David Arnold's score. For one thing, there was nothing really remarkable about it -- standard historical epic fare. For another, I thought the moments of swelling gravitas were really oddly placed, and distracted me from a few powerful scenes. Less is more, Mr. Arnold. Exception: the magnificent rendition of "Amazing Grace" at the end. God, I love bagpipes. And men in kilts.

Ooooh, "The Princess Bride" is on Bravo! Viewing #2340857, here we come!

Oh, and we hung out with Grandma today, and finally saw the tree connecting us to Patrick Henry (through his son, Patrick Henry Jr.) We've known this for years, but didn't actually know what the lineage looked like. It was cool. Seven generations back, I think? Something like that, anyway.