The FiFi Report 176

Amazing Grace… Directed by Michael Apted (7 UP documentary series, The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner’s Daughter Gorillas in the Mist, Engima) from an original screenplay written by Academy Award nominee Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things. Produced by Terrence Malick
Based on: The True story of 18th-century British politician William Wilberforce who makes it his mission to end slavery in the British Empire.
Genre: A Chick, flick, romantic Period Drama that the boys will love as well.
Who: Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Toby Jones.
The Plot: 1797 England. William Wilberforce (handsome Ioan Gruffudd), is young and sexy Member of Parliament. Lives in a gorgeous house. Finds God. Loves animals. Sets up RSPCA. Wants the abolition of slavery. He is THE dream man. But the bill is always defeated in parliament. He has powerful enemies, Lord Tarlton and the Duke of Clarence.. But it’s Ok he is best friends with the Prime Minister. His mentor is John Newton (Albert Finney), a former slave-runner now a monk and famous for composing the hymn, AMAZING GRACE. Bless. Flash forward 20 years. Has terrible illness. Takes Opium for it. That’s his excuse any way. Meets gorgeous, young girl. Takes up cause of ending slavery.  Marries girl. True love. The end.
Acting: Albert Finney is fantastic. Oscar worthy.“ Grufudd is fine, passionate and single-minded, though overly Romantic, and quietly upstaged by the extraordinary Benedict Cumberbatch.” Time Out.
Photography: Absolutely divine. Remi Adefarasin was nominated for the Academy Award and won the BAFTA for his work on Shekhar Kappur’s Elizabeth. Recent credits include Match Point and Scoop, and the sequel to Elizabeth: The Golden Years.
Design: It’s all too beautiful. Gorgeous English homes, fabulous rooms, divine furniture, amazing gardens. If you don’t listen to the dialogue you could just soak in the visuals.
Wardrobe: It’s Dries Van Noten meets Ralph Lauren. Who can resist a handsome man in long boots and breeches? Gorgeous, rich jewel colours and the mix of divine fabrics means it’s a veritable fashion feast.  Jenny Beavan won the Academy Award® for Best Costume for A Room with a View and seven nominations for Gosford Park (2001), Anna and the King (1999), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Remains of the Day (1993), Howard’s End (1992), Maurice (1987) and The Bostonians (1984), the latter four produced by the Merchant Ivory partnership..
Salon de Beaute: Ioan is very handsome and loves a wig. Head of makeup Jenny Shircore won the Academy Award and the BAFTA for Elizabeth and was nominated for a BAFTA for Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Botox: one small dose to deal with the suffering of slaves. Bless.
Waterproof Mascara: Apply lashings of Aqua Lash as required for all chick flicks.
Blood ’n’ Guts: There is more talk about the torture of slaves than any visuals.  
Mind drifted to shopping: Never (Except when drooling over all the beautiful clothes)
Smokin’ smooches: Romance but no gratuitous sex scenes. In fact there are no sex scenes. At all. Sorry.
Car chases: Zilch.
Tagline: Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget…..
Rename It: Reds meets Pride and Prejudice.
Best  Review: “An inspirational, moving and wonderfully well-told story that comes to the screen at just the right time” Maxim.
Best Worst Reviews: “Earnest, respectful and thoroughly dull, Michael Apted’s Amazing Grace follows all of the worst traditions of British historical dramas.” Premiere Magazine.