65
Metascore
29 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 91Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam ArnoldSeattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam ArnoldAn unusually satisfying and inspiring historical epic from one of contemporary cinema's best filmmakers.
- 75The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinUnlike its subject, Amazing Grace won't change the world, but its quasi-religious sense of conviction proves rousing. Apted's unexpected crowd-pleaser is inspirational, but also surprisingly entertaining.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinMichael Apted's Amazing Grace is a beautifully chiseled blunt instrument. No, it's not subtle, but how subtle was slavery?
- 70VarietyEddie CockrellVarietyEddie CockrellPicture reflects the no-nonsense storytelling skills of prolific helmer Michael Apted, whose career-long mix of feature and documentary work holds him in good stead once more.
- 63ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliIt's disappointing that so much talent has been assembled with so little to do.
- 58Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment WeeklyIt's earnest, solemn stuff. The movie sings an old tune -- Albert Finney is the blind minister who wrote the title ditty -- and it leaves the blood unstirred.
- 50Village VoiceVillage VoiceMorally irreproachable and flat as a pancake.
- Unfortunately for Barbara and for us, what makes William Wilberforce a great man is also what makes him a bore.
- 50Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsChicago TribuneMichael PhillipsApted and his collaborators are so in awe of their subject they neglect to bring him to full human life.
- 42Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter Rainer[Apted] also has an unfortunate penchant for bland stateliness, and never more so than in Amazing Grace, a well-intentioned piece of historical waxworks.