FamilyFans Movies

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AMAZING GRACE (PG)

Plot Summary: A young Englishman spends his life attempting to abolish slavery

Reason for the Rating: Thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.

On the surface, Amazing Grace looks like the kind of movie my active-film-loving husband would wish he didn’t have to see. No car chases, a lot of talking, and the necessity to muddle through accents. However, while this movie is intelligent and nothing gets blown up, it is certainly not one you will snooze through!

This stunning film recounts the life of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a young member of the British Parliament in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. His lifelong passion was to see slave trade abolished in his home country of England, and he spent most of his days waging a war against such a horrible oppression and inhumanity.

Amazing Grace starts 15 years into his struggle, when he meets his wife-to-be, Barbara (Romola Garai); this is a time when his health is suffering and his spirit is all but broken. Through his memory, we see how he was drawn into his convictions and set apart to make a difference in his world, one small change at a time. His friend, William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch), the future Prime Minister, introduces Wilberforce to a group of men and women who not only share in his conviction, but have the tools to assist in his arguments for the abolition of slavery. One of the men who gives Wilberforce inspiration is John Newton (Albert Finney), the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace. Newton was the captain of a slave ship responsible for bringing slaves from Africa to England and other countries. On one such trip, he had a conversion experience, which ultimately changed his life, leading him to become a preacher.

Once Wilberforce meets and marries Barbara, the strength of his conviction returns. The political climate is changing in Europe, providing him the impetus to gather his friends once again and find a new strategy that will allow him success. The abolition of slave trade is a battle he won in Parliament, but, regretfully, is a battle that is still begin waged today, with millions of people throughout the world being treated and traded as slaves.

Amazing Grace is a biographical picture that has purpose and meaning beyond William Wilberforce. Many times, we see biographies which simply tell us the story of another’s life, and although it may be an interesting life, it doesn’t necessarily challenge us to think and see beyond ourselves. We simply leave the theater thinking, “Wow, what a crazy/amazing/challenging life that person led.” Not so with Amazing Grace. William Wilberforce’s life wasn’t one of glitz and glamour, but was one led by conviction, and the inability to sit by while others suffered. How can this man’s life not challenge us to ponder the social issues of our day, and how we can possibly make a difference in the lives of others? How would God want us to use our time, talents, and influence to change the lives of others?

Some have seen this movie as a “Christian” movie, due to its obvious tie with the hymn, and while this is true, it is not a movie that will convert anyone or make clear the message of Christ. This may disappoint some, but the movie is a beautiful story of how God grabs hold of a life, changes it, and uses it for a new purpose altogether. This is shown in both the lives of Wilberforce (at one point he tells his butler, “I didn’t find God, he found me”), and John Newton (who proclaims the gospel in one striking sentence, “I’m a great sinner, and Christ is a great Saviour”). It has been rare to find a well-made and excellently-acted movie that espouses Christian values, and this movie is one of those gems.

FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:

You won’t be disappointed with Amazing Grace - and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Make a date with your spouse, older children, and/or friends, and enjoy a movie that will inspire you to see others the way God sees them.

AFTER THE SHOW: 

• Although it might be intimidating, or take time, is there someplace you could volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others? What keeps you from doing that?

• Is there a social issue we allow, for economic purposes or the sake of convenience, that you think saddens God’s heart? What could you do to make a small change?

• There are still an estimated 27 million slaves around the world today. What do you think you could do to join with William Wilberforce in abolishing slavery once and for all? (Visit www.theamazingchange.com for more information and ideas.)

JW

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