Amazing Grace ( film review)
"Amazing Grace" (in theaters now) is a remarkable film about the life of William Wilberforce, a parliamentary politician who was instrumental in helping to bring slavery in England to an end. The film focuses on the 20 or so years after Wilberforce's conversion and recounts events that led to the abolition of slavery in 1807. The film gets its name from Wilberforce's personal friendship with John Newton, author of Amazing Grace. Newton was a former slave ship captain who became a Christian and spent the rest of life his preaching and fighting slavery. The hymn is featured throughout the film.
The film sadly downplays Wilberforce's faith in God and the powerful message of God's mercy and grace in "Amazing Grace" treating the hymn like just another song. Nevertheless, for those who know the stories of William Wilberforce and John Newton, it is easy to overlook these faults and "read between the lines" and see God's hand at work in the final abolition of slavery in England and in the lives of these two men. The film made me laugh and cry and marvel again at God's saving grace, mercy and sovereignty.
The film is rated PG.
The film sadly downplays Wilberforce's faith in God and the powerful message of God's mercy and grace in "Amazing Grace" treating the hymn like just another song. Nevertheless, for those who know the stories of William Wilberforce and John Newton, it is easy to overlook these faults and "read between the lines" and see God's hand at work in the final abolition of slavery in England and in the lives of these two men. The film made me laugh and cry and marvel again at God's saving grace, mercy and sovereignty.
The film is rated PG.
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