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6 Degrees Entertainment

'Ammonite' [Blu-Ray]
(Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Fiona Shaw, Gemma Jones, James McArdle, et al / Blu-ray / R / 2021 / Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

Overview: In 1800s England, acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline.

With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her ailing mother. When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down.

Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship.

Blu-ray Verdict: For those not in the know, the protagonist here is a real-life figure, although not exactly historic. In her field, however, she had made ample contribution which, alas, were not even credited to her own name, in the male-dominated era she was born into.

Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) was a paleontologist in England in the 1840s. A deprived childhood in abject poverty molded her into something as hard as the fossils she gathers at the rugged Dorset seashore, a passion and a livelihood. She shares her life with just her mother, but only in the sense than they live under the same roof.

Honestly, I cannot think of any actor who can best Winslet in portraying the bottled up resentment and resignation. Winslet accomplished this with an unsmiling, taciturn face that is subtly eloquent.

Additionally, there's a half-nude shot of her back which shows the hardened, developed muscles from climbing and digging - where Winslet must have worked physically hard on, or, perhaps, it is simply just superb make-up.

When a fellow scientist pays her a friendly, albeit unexpected, visit, her cold handshake signals rejection rather than welcome.

But it is this man's wife that changes Anning's life forever. Delicately beautiful and vulnerably fragile, Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan) is described by her husband as one suffering from "mild melancholia".

Without saying in so many words, he leaves a clear impression that she is something of a burden. A rich man, he can afford to pay Mary to look after his wife while he has important business to do all over Europe. While Mary does not particularly need a burden either, the money is handy.

The rest of the film, depicting the development of the relationship between these two women, is a joy to behold. Trying to describe the mesmerizing performance of these two actors would ruin the enjoyment of the film.

Very little is known about the private life of Anning. Therefore, director/writer Francis Lee had a free hand in showing his artistic creativity, which he accomplished brilliantly.

The narrative is opening-ended, in a wordless scene showing the two protagonists gazing at each other across the glass display case in a museum, with their hitherto persona somewhat reversed.

Just that one shot will stay with you for a long time, let alone the entire film.

In closing, and in summary, 'Ammonite' is a quiet, contemplative drama that consistently engaging and often affecting. Francis Lee crafts a poetic film that impresses with its poignant storytelling, stunning cinematography, and incredible performances delivered by the titanic talents of Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan at the forefront. This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.39:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of:

The Making of Ammonite

In this Special Feature, stars Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan join filmmakers to discuss how they were able to convey the extraordinary depth of the film’s two main characters, Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison.

'Ammonite' [Blu-Ray] arrives on Digital, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand January 12th, 2021 from NEON and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

'Ammonite' Official Website

'Ammonite' Official Trailer

Amazon Purchase Link

'Ammonite' @ Twitter

'Ammonite' @ Instagram

www.UPHE.com





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