Logline:
1840s England, acclaimed but overlooked fossil hunter Mary Anning and a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever.
What does love look like to you? To me, love is like a fingerprint, no two connections are the same, just as no two people are the same. Even if multiple connections begin identically, they all blossom in their own unique ways. Therefore, it is almost impossible to judge or predict. In many cases, love is unexpected and finds you when you need it most but perhaps feel as if you don’t deserve it. Alternatively, what if that love pushes you too hard? What if past grief affects how you accept that love? What happens if you are only interested in a whirlwind romance while the other person wants a loving relationship? Francis Lee’s Ammonite delves into the life, love, and legacy of Mary Anning. This beautiful and moody biographical romantic drama is lustfully perceptive and meticulously executed. The story strays from the convention of starting from the beginning of her life or the start of her paleontology career, rather the film focuses on what would be the latter years of her life and career and an unexpected connection that shook things up. While the story is biographical, it’s masterfully done as if it’s not one. Subsequently, it allows us to focus on a storyline of trauma, repression, intimacy, and discovery while still learning about the legacy of Anning. The attention to detail in the production design paired with skillfully crafted shots, like how they tie their garments and the look of the fossils, elevate how the story is received. Its cinematography is amazing, the tone is alluring, and the seclusive setting adds a layer of tenderness. The film’s subtleties, performances, themes, and sensuality makes Ammonite a very enticing watch. I thoroughly enjoyed Ammonite. Its rewatchability is high.
Plot & Pace
Past the height of her revered and pioneering paleontology career, Mary Anning resides in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England running a shop with her ill mother. Visited by wealthy and curious patrons, the shop, which doubles as her home, is used for the collecting and dealing of the fossils she has uncovered. One morning a gentleman and his dainty wife enter the shop in search of Mary’s expertise. With his wife not in the best health condition, he tells Ms. Anning that he will pay her to take care of his wife for a few weeks. She reluctantly accepts as she favors solitude. As the weeks go by, Mary starts teaching the wife what she knows and the pair begins to develop a strong bond with each other. As the bond grows, an unspoken spark begins to change their relationship entirely.
The pacing of the film fits the storytelling perfectly. It may seem slow and long as it is a biographical romantic drama. However, every pregnant pause, every silent interaction is necessary in order to for the full magnitude of the story to resonate.
Characters & Chemistry
Kate Winslet as Mary Anning gives a phenomenal performance. While excellence is expected of Winslet, she truly becomes the paleontologist and conveys Anning’s powerful yet reclusive passion that also mirrors her personal life. Her chemistry with Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan) is beautifully palpable and full of lust and anticipation. You can feel the culmination of desire multiply as it lingers like a thick fog in every advancing scene. What makes their chemistry even more moving is that there are a good amount of scenes with minimal dialogue. In many of these scenes, everything is conveyed through glances, subtle movements, and soft touches. The duo proves why they are considered two of the best.
Ammonite became available today on PVOD. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: Francis Lee
Writer: Francis Lee
Rated: R
Runtime: 2h
Rating: 4 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
