I watched Ammonite without once being bored. Interesting, considering how little dialogue there is. I think I was mesmerized by eyes: mostly those of Kate Winslet as Mary Anning, and less so by those of Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison.
Ammonite is a film of the senses. I felt it more than thought it, similar, I suppose, to the character of Anning as she's portrayed here: a woman of few words. In the realm of the senses (!) it's gorgeous and tragic all at once. Many of those beach shots are full of passion while being cold and windy, just as Anning looks plain and unadorned while inside she has much going on.
As most of the reviews here have noted, the performances of Winslet and Ronan are exceptional. Winslet especially captures the appearance of someone who is beaten down by life but persists nonetheless, relying on a quiet satisfaction in her work. On the other hand, Ronan is an upper class woman who when we see her at first is despondent over the loss of a baby, which we understand though it's never actually stated. When she falls physically ill, Anning offers TLC, stepping up to do what she feels is right and also most likely because caring for a young woman is out of her daily routine and therefore interesting. Also, we might infer an erotic component, too.
The problem with the film for me is that, as someone who has studied script-writing, so much of what happens seems purposeful in terms of furthering the story. E.g., another opposite: while much of what happens feels natural it also feels contrived, such as when the two women go to the music event and Ronan as Murchison sits next to a former friend of Anning, causing Anning to feel disturbed and jealous, thus further implying the ensuing relationship.
And then there are the sex scenes. The first, which is not really a sex scene but an implication of one, is when Ronan/Murchison is in bed watching her husband get undressed. Then, there is her husband completely naked, different from most films which generally don't show male genitals. Foreshadowing of things to come? Yes and no.
I found the second sex scene with Winslet and Ronan to be gratuitous. Maybe because I'm an "older" adult, I prefer to watch intimations of erotic scenes rather than details. But I suppose it could be argued that if this is a film of the senses then a detailed sex scene makes sense.
Anyway, the film is interesting, to say the least. I had never heard of ammonite or Mary Anning before this, and certainly as yet another portrayal of the historical oppression of women, this is a different and important addition.
Ammonite is a film of the senses. I felt it more than thought it, similar, I suppose, to the character of Anning as she's portrayed here: a woman of few words. In the realm of the senses (!) it's gorgeous and tragic all at once. Many of those beach shots are full of passion while being cold and windy, just as Anning looks plain and unadorned while inside she has much going on.
As most of the reviews here have noted, the performances of Winslet and Ronan are exceptional. Winslet especially captures the appearance of someone who is beaten down by life but persists nonetheless, relying on a quiet satisfaction in her work. On the other hand, Ronan is an upper class woman who when we see her at first is despondent over the loss of a baby, which we understand though it's never actually stated. When she falls physically ill, Anning offers TLC, stepping up to do what she feels is right and also most likely because caring for a young woman is out of her daily routine and therefore interesting. Also, we might infer an erotic component, too.
The problem with the film for me is that, as someone who has studied script-writing, so much of what happens seems purposeful in terms of furthering the story. E.g., another opposite: while much of what happens feels natural it also feels contrived, such as when the two women go to the music event and Ronan as Murchison sits next to a former friend of Anning, causing Anning to feel disturbed and jealous, thus further implying the ensuing relationship.
And then there are the sex scenes. The first, which is not really a sex scene but an implication of one, is when Ronan/Murchison is in bed watching her husband get undressed. Then, there is her husband completely naked, different from most films which generally don't show male genitals. Foreshadowing of things to come? Yes and no.
I found the second sex scene with Winslet and Ronan to be gratuitous. Maybe because I'm an "older" adult, I prefer to watch intimations of erotic scenes rather than details. But I suppose it could be argued that if this is a film of the senses then a detailed sex scene makes sense.
Anyway, the film is interesting, to say the least. I had never heard of ammonite or Mary Anning before this, and certainly as yet another portrayal of the historical oppression of women, this is a different and important addition.