“Ammonite” is a slow burned dramatic love story starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan and written and directed by 2017 UK breakout God’s Own Country, Francis Lee.
The inequality between men and women, the social class differences and the unfairness of geniuses living in poverty during their lifetimes, are just some of the substrates this movie evokes.
Kate Winslet plays Victorian-era palaeontologist Mary Anning.
Mary Anning (1799-1847) was “the greatest fossilist the world ever knew”.
When a wealthy man, Roderick Murchison, entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse), the pair initially clash before developing an intense bond.
The story is set in 1840s England and revolves around the intense relationship between the acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter and Charlotte, who is sent to convalesce by the sea.
Mary works alone on the rugged Southern coastline. With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her ailing mother.
Mary had a rough life, out of her many brothers she and one brother are left. Her work is exhibited at the British museum in London, but her name is nowhere to be seen near the fossils she discovered.
She is also a closeted lesbian.
When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte, she cannot afford to turn his offer down. Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship.
Kate Winslet’s performance is absolutely stunning, very realistic and indubitably beautiful. She has emerged under the skin of her character, showing the transformation of a middle-aged shadowed genius introvert researcher into a passionate woman who understands intimacy as much as she understands her discoveries by her genius.
Saoirse Ronan’s acting is also amazing and Charlotte’s development is showed in a very original matter.
Also, Fiona Shaw and Gemma Jones impersonate two great characters.
I loved this movie because the characters made the plot even better than itself, creating an unique story splendid to watch.
Original trailer:
Sources:
https://www.thewrap.com/saoirse-ronan-kate-winslet-romantic-drama-ammonite-acquired-by-neon/
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