I think I had set my expectations a little too high before I started watching, what with stars of Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan's caliber involved. 'Ammonite' is mostly more understated than I would have anticipated, in every regard, though as historical fiction, that's an understandable approach to take. It has its flaws, yet is still enjoyable and worth watching.
'Ammonite' is a little bit of a study in contrasts, as emphasized by the two leads. Mary Anning's life is depicted with purposeful and stark solitude, hard work, and a notably gritty, asocial personality - lacking in color, and vitality. This is the least glamorous role I think I've ever seen Winslet take on. Charlotte Murchison, meanwhile, carries a certain spark with her, and presumptuous amiability - while yet being unaccustomed to toil and hardship in the relatively opulent life she has known. Ronan gives her a definite sense of excited innocence befitting those characteristics.
Unless viewers are particular fans of these historical figures or their fields, or of the cast, it's a fair guess that most are here for the speculative fiction part of the film, the depiction of a lesbian relationship between Anning and Murchison. It's a subtle, slow build, with very singular looks, or the delicate touch of a hand, forming the foundation. Compared to other movies with a similar narrative bent, it seems a bit out of character the first time that Winslet and Ronan kiss. And yet, isn't life also messy like that at times? The stars absolutely shine in this capacity, giving their characters and the affair a strength and intensity that is magnetic. Their intimacy reaches an enchanting crescendo of passion many comparable pictures don't seem to want to show on screen. And as one would rather hope, writer-director Francis Lee devoted much energy in the screenplay to the portrayal of their relationship.
There's a small part of me, however, that feels so much time was spent ensuring Anning and Murchison's love affair was treated appropriately that the rest of the film suffered a bit as a result, as though such time and energy spent writing were a palpable, quantifiable resource. It's not that any one particular aspect leaps out at me as flawed, or underwritten - but nor does any aspect truly capture one's imagination, save for the love that Winslet and Ronan so gracefully portray. Like the skies and the sea throughout 'Ammonite,' much of the feature just seems a little dull and grey. There's nothing inherently wrong with how the plot is laid out; after all, if this is a study in contrasts, then there's no greater contrast than to light a great blaze for the central relationship and keep a single low candle aflame for the rest. Yet I can't help but feel that something's missing.
It also has to be noted that 'Ammonite' somewhat falls into an all too familiar trap of representing a queer relationship that cannot last. One has already created speculative fiction that Anning and Murchison were involved; why not take it one step further? At least the real obstacle here is an intangible distance between the lives of the subjects, and not the heteronormative trope of "they're married," but it's still regrettable. Imagine if every cinematic romance between a man and a woman were similarly doomed to failure by its screenplay.
Still, despite its flaws, and despite a familiar failing - I will also say that the final scene is very, very well done. Though 'Ammonite' tiresomely imparts that the love affair can't last - the film's visual realization of the boundaries between the characters is given an exquisitely artful illustration. It's a bumpy ride, but the last stop along the way is truly commendable.
'Ammonite' is worth watching, especially for the warmth and zeal that Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan give Anning and Murchison's intimacy. And, true, other viewers may find this even more appealing than I do - indeed, I want to regard 'Ammonite' more highly than I do. I say just to keep your expectations in check, because the picture is a bit uneven.
'Ammonite' is a little bit of a study in contrasts, as emphasized by the two leads. Mary Anning's life is depicted with purposeful and stark solitude, hard work, and a notably gritty, asocial personality - lacking in color, and vitality. This is the least glamorous role I think I've ever seen Winslet take on. Charlotte Murchison, meanwhile, carries a certain spark with her, and presumptuous amiability - while yet being unaccustomed to toil and hardship in the relatively opulent life she has known. Ronan gives her a definite sense of excited innocence befitting those characteristics.
Unless viewers are particular fans of these historical figures or their fields, or of the cast, it's a fair guess that most are here for the speculative fiction part of the film, the depiction of a lesbian relationship between Anning and Murchison. It's a subtle, slow build, with very singular looks, or the delicate touch of a hand, forming the foundation. Compared to other movies with a similar narrative bent, it seems a bit out of character the first time that Winslet and Ronan kiss. And yet, isn't life also messy like that at times? The stars absolutely shine in this capacity, giving their characters and the affair a strength and intensity that is magnetic. Their intimacy reaches an enchanting crescendo of passion many comparable pictures don't seem to want to show on screen. And as one would rather hope, writer-director Francis Lee devoted much energy in the screenplay to the portrayal of their relationship.
There's a small part of me, however, that feels so much time was spent ensuring Anning and Murchison's love affair was treated appropriately that the rest of the film suffered a bit as a result, as though such time and energy spent writing were a palpable, quantifiable resource. It's not that any one particular aspect leaps out at me as flawed, or underwritten - but nor does any aspect truly capture one's imagination, save for the love that Winslet and Ronan so gracefully portray. Like the skies and the sea throughout 'Ammonite,' much of the feature just seems a little dull and grey. There's nothing inherently wrong with how the plot is laid out; after all, if this is a study in contrasts, then there's no greater contrast than to light a great blaze for the central relationship and keep a single low candle aflame for the rest. Yet I can't help but feel that something's missing.
It also has to be noted that 'Ammonite' somewhat falls into an all too familiar trap of representing a queer relationship that cannot last. One has already created speculative fiction that Anning and Murchison were involved; why not take it one step further? At least the real obstacle here is an intangible distance between the lives of the subjects, and not the heteronormative trope of "they're married," but it's still regrettable. Imagine if every cinematic romance between a man and a woman were similarly doomed to failure by its screenplay.
Still, despite its flaws, and despite a familiar failing - I will also say that the final scene is very, very well done. Though 'Ammonite' tiresomely imparts that the love affair can't last - the film's visual realization of the boundaries between the characters is given an exquisitely artful illustration. It's a bumpy ride, but the last stop along the way is truly commendable.
'Ammonite' is worth watching, especially for the warmth and zeal that Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan give Anning and Murchison's intimacy. And, true, other viewers may find this even more appealing than I do - indeed, I want to regard 'Ammonite' more highly than I do. I say just to keep your expectations in check, because the picture is a bit uneven.