Ammonite (2020)

Director: Francis Lee
Stars: Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Jones
Runtime: 120 minutes

Synopsis: In 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.

Verdict: In 2019, Céline Sciamma's "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" took the world by storm and was considered by many to be one of the year's best films. When the trailer to Francis Lee's "Ammonite" dropped, many quickly compared it to "Portrait" due to its similar tone and parallel narratives. Both films are period pieces exploring the growing relationship between two women residing by the sea and, I may be in the minority here, but I found this one to be a more rewarding watch overall.

Francis Lee is a director who caught my attention earlier this year with "God's Own Country", another LGBT themed film clearly inspired by another classic in the genre ("Brokeback Mountain" in that case). "Ammonite" is only his second feature film and follows Mary Anning's relationship with Charlotte, a young aristocrat suffering from melancholia and invited to spend a few weeks in her company. Being a revered paleontologist and real historical figure, the film gathered some criticism as Mary's sexuality remains to this day a mystery. But solely focusing on that aspect would be missing the entire point of the movie. At its core, it's a tale of two drastically different women linked by their loneliness. Mary, played by an extraordinary Kate Winslet, is a middle-aged fossil hunter who dedicates her time to her very rigid work while Charlotte, played by the equally talented Saoirse Ronan, is a young married woman who fails to find purpose in her life. The dynamic and chemistry between the two shape a movie that only slightly loses some of its flow in its final act.

"Ammonite" is a slow burn that won't appeal to mainstream audiences, but I don't see it disappointing those who are patient. It beautifully and subtly builds up the relationship between the protagonists, and I can say with confidence that I was never bored despite its relaxed pacing.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10