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Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace Image
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Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Albert Finney, Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Gambon
  • Summary: Amazing Grace is based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. (Samuel Goldwyn Films LLC)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    91
    An unusually satisfying and inspiring historical epic from one of contemporary cinema's best filmmakers.
  2. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    88
    The movie is the usual kind of film biography of a respected figure from the distant past - honorable, oversimplified, handsome.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Helen O'Hara
    60
    There's so much story here that the characters don't have quite enough room to breathe, but it's still a fascinating look at a time, and a man, worth remembering.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. KaKaUA
    10
    Great movie. It's hard to believe that people like that exist. It prompted me to read up on some history, get out John Newton's auto-biography. I'm so grateful for such movies.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ChadS.
    5
    As William Wilberforce(Ioan Gruffudd) lectures from aboard the slave-ship Madagascar, his floating audience(they're in an adjacent rowboat) cover their noses with handkerchiefs. Wilberforce instructs them to remove their cloths and breathe in "the smell of death". "Amazing Grace", however, holds its own nose to the historical stench of forced labor by largely keeping slavery off-screen. The only major black character, Oloudaqh(Youssou N'Dour), doesn't even get to speak. In a film about his ancestry, N'Dour is almost a token. He doesn't even get to sing the title song(at least Mahalia Jackson sings in Douglas Sirk's "Imitation of Life"). Worst yet, Oloudaqh is a profiteer(his slave narrative sells 50,000 copies). He has no rousing "give me free" moment(Djimon Honsou in "Amistad"), just a few silent tears rolling down his cheek. So we're largely stuck with the do-gooder Wilberforce, who is undoubtedly a great man; but as written in this well-meaning film, this earnest samaritan is more symbol than man. It's flaws that brings a character to life. Oskar Schindler was a womanizer. Wilberforce had bad stomach aches. He also says irritating things like, "How can we live in houses like this, while they live in boxes." "Amazing Grace" has one very effective flashback that shows how ugly institutionalized racism is; but it's not enough, not if you're going to canonize Wilberforce with a standing ovation as the musical score swells into histrionics. After all, Wilberforce never actually had to wear those manacles and leg braces.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. TimV.
    3
    I expected so much more from this film. what a fascinating story. but the process of ending slavery in a bloodless manner free of economic ruin was simply glossed over in favor of dwelling on already-overwrought relationships. there are hints at political drama, but it always comes back to running around in frilly shirts. the passage of time is unclear, and the eight arduous years wilberforce endures are underemphasized. entertaining performances can't redeem this mess of a movie.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 25 User Reviews

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