Ammonite (2020)

 

Mary Anning is a goddess among enthusiasts of prehistoric life. This lady discovered a plethora of very important fossils along the British coast in the area of Lyme Regis, among others pterodactyls, ichtyosaurs, plesiosaurs and countless ammonites. But because it was the 19th century, she was never eligible to join the ranks of the (male) scientists in London and only received credit for her incredible work after her death. 

Nowadays we know better, fortunately.

'Ammonite' is a fictional tale of a time in Mary Anning's life, after her most well-known discoveries and relatively shortly before her untimely death at the age of 47 due to breast cancer. Mary (Kate Winslet) is mostly looking for fossils to sell in the small shop she and her dismissive mother run, trying to get by. Into town waltzes an enthusiastic young man by the name of Roderick Murchison who turns out to be an admirer or Mary's work. He is planning on leaving abroad for a tour, yet his wife (Saoirse Ronan) is quite stricken by something and he has little choice but to leave her behind in Lyme Regis. But not before asking Mary to take Charlotte under her wing. Mary doesn't want to, but Roderick pays well and the Annings can use every penny. Charlotte falls ill and Mary has to take care of her, but when she recovers, both women slowly start to become friends and love blossoms between the two in an age where this would have absolutely needed to be kept secret. Yet they both only find happiness with each other. But then Charlotte is called back to London... 

So no, this is not a 'dry' biopic of sorts but more an imagining of a love story that happens to feature a historical figure. It's a slow moving story, letting a lot play out through glanses and stares, yet manages to suck you in. Of course this is thanks to the acting and Kate Winslet is probably the prime example of this. What she can emote and get across through mere facial movements and stares is bloody impressive. One scene in particular stands out where she and Ronan attend a chamber concert and Mary is in the back observing Charlotte hobnobbing with the local well-off (Mary is poor, remember?). You can feel the tension, doubt and insecurity Mary is pondering. 

Powerful stuff. 

The love story also doesn't feel forced but quite natural, even if there is no telling if such a thing occurred in real life. It doesn't end all that well alas, but let's presume for a time that during a brief period, the sun did shine on Mary's life. It is touching. In the end, the symbolism of Mary looking at Charlotte and vice versa through the glass of an exhibit at the British Museum featuring the first ichtyosaur Mary ever found, is a brilliant touch, as this is why the worlds of those two women can never truly join. 

So even though this is not the biggest or best known film out there, it is absolutely worth checking out. It is a masterclass in characterdriven storytelling, led by actresses who are top of their class. So if you need something slow yet compelling to decompress from the frantic nature of most films and also enjoy a heartwrenching love story, then this is something you need to check out.