Ammonite is a romantic drama film directed by Francis Lee. It stars Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan in main roles along with Gemma Jones, Alec Secareanu, Fiona Shaw, and James McArdle in supporting roles. It was released theatrically on 13th November 2020 and on 4th December 2020 on VOD.
The story is set in the 1840s and revolves around a paleontologist Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) who lives with her ailing widowed mother Molly Anning (Gemma Jones) near the shorelines of Lyme Regis and collects fossils of ammonite shells and after polishing and preparing them, she sells it to museums or rich tourists. One day, Mary's solitary life changes when another paleontologist from Europe Roderick Murchison (James McArdle) enters her shop along with his wife Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan).
He spends his days with Mary collecting fossils from the shore and he admires her works but soon Charlotte falls ill because of mild melancholia, and doctors have prescribed taking the sea air so he convinces Mary to care for her and to take her to the sea. Roderick has to go back and here Charlotte's conditions worsen and she's now under the care of Mary and is staying in her house. Simultaneously they are getting close emotionally until their relationship becomes fully physical.
Written by Francis Lee, it is a story of Mary Anning, who is just like an ammonite fossil, hard from outside and soft and gentle from inside, suppressing her desires. This is not a love at first sight movie. It rather tries to be more real, developing the two main characters, Mary and Charlotte. They come closer as they were spending time with each other and as Mary taking care of Charlotte when she was ill.
This love angle has a base and is very much concrete and hence their chemistry doesn't feel artificial anytime. From their first kiss to expressing their love to each other physically, everything has been done with authenticity. That's what makes this lesbian love story so effective even it has nothing much to offer apart from that. But it's sad to say that you'll not know anything about them rather than what's going on in the film.
The film has a resemblance to the French film "The Portrait of a Lady on Fire" with the sets and costumes, which strongly reminds you of that movie. The movie is set in the 1840s which the film never fails in any frame in the depiction of that time and mostly relies on silence and the ambiance of the seas and the rooms which help to intensify the sexual tension between the two leads and hence it's always arresting and never loses the interest.
Kate Winslet is the soul of the film. She is outstanding and extraordinary in portraying Mary Anning. Her expressions feel authentic and her performance is effective and strong. Saoirse Ronan is very good as Charlotte and outshines everyone in a couple of scenes. Gemma Jones as Molly, Alec Secareanu as Dr.Lieberson, Fiona Shaw as Elizabeth Philpot, and James McArdle as Roderick Murchison have lent good support.
The cinematography by Stéphanie Fontaine is extraordinary. The bluish and greyish tint in the frame and the handheld camerawork works in the favor of the film as the film looks mesmerizing especially the sea coast ones. The sound design is terrific and the music is minimal but is good. The production design by Sarah Finlay is also quite impressive in building and reviving the 1840s.
Ammonite is an emotionally deep film and most of the responsibilities lie on the shoulder of Kate Winslet who is in great form. Saoirse Ronan's committed performance helped the film not to be a yawn fest which could have been the case here. Francis Lee knows here what he wants to show and how much he wants to show but sadly, even with the presence of two Oscar Actress, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, this might not be getting a nomination even. But I'm looking ahead to see the two lead actresses to winning awards. This film is not for everyone, if you love watching fast-paced movies then this is not for you.
Rating:- 3/5
Now available via Video On Demand.
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