Movie Review: Amazing Grace
Saturday, January 20, 2007
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Got a chance to see a sneak preview of the upcoming film Amazing Grace. You can check out the official site for the film here, and it's headed to theaters next month. Here's a snyopsis of the main character in the film, which is based on a true story:William Wilberforce (1759-1833) led the twenty-year fight to end the British slave trade, a victory now regarded as He finally succeeded in March 1807 and continued to fight for abolition until, days before his death in 1833, he saw the institution of slavery abolished throughout the British colonies. Not limiting himself to just abolitionist work, he dedicated his life to what he called his "two great objects:" abolishing slavery in the British Empire and what he called "the reformation of manners [society]."All in all - this isn't a movie I would typically run out and see, but an interesting one to be sure I'm better off for having seen. It will help you appreciate the terrible history of slavery and admire the passion of a man committed to such a noble cause.
To this end, he advocated for child labor laws, campaigned for education of the blind and deaf, and founded organizations as diverse as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the National Gallery (of Art). "Good causes," it has been said, "stuck to him like pins to a magnet."
The acting is solid, and the story moves dutifully forward to perhaps a somewhat expected finale. Although there's no giant twists, it carries a powerful emotional kick as you head to the end. I love the device where they show elements of the current setting of the film then go back to show you how we got to that point. I was also amazed at the parallels to the current day - how far have we really come in 200 years? Thoughts about war, slavery, social injustice all seem powerfully relevant even in this historical context.
This is a film about passion, faith and an insatiable drive to write a wrong and stop global giants in their time. I recommend it, my eyes have been opened a bit more. B+
Don't forget, in a few week's it's Amazing Grace Sunday, too ... there you can download the music sheets for free and also listen to Chris Tomlin's new arrangement. Powerful.
JG
posted by Unknown @ 12:01 AM |
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1 Comments:
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At 1/20/2007,
Crossius said...
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Check ut the Stop The Traffik site to see what is going on in the UK.
