Amazing Grace

Hollywood these days seems to be in a downward spiral as it tiptoes in and out of the boundaries of PG and R toward the rating X. I really don't have words to describe the state of movies now. Tawdry, obscene and depressing seem apt--but they really don't get at the depth to which movies have sunk.

That is why all who raced to see Mel Gibson's Passion should race to see Amazing Grace now playing. It is what those of us who are Christians have hoped for on the silver screen: beautifully filmed, not preachy nor boring, unique in its subject, and certainly moving to anyone who has any decent emotions left after viewing the movies nominated for the Academy Award this year.

The story of Wilbur Wilburforce who almost singlehandedly (for a while) led the opposition to the slave trade in Britain is the story of an unsung hero that everyone needs to meet. John Newton, the former slave trader, who wrote Amazing Grace was Wilbur's mentor from an early age.
Newton is the one who advised Wilburforce to use his gifts and his zeal for God in politics rather than to enter solitude. The result was years of fighting, submitting bills, and failure until Wilburforce and his Quaker friends finally wore Parliament down. While the history may sound dull to those who do not favor history, the movie is never dull. One can wait for the DVD, but the scenery and setting of the movie need to seen on the big screen. You will not know any of the actors except Albert Finney who plays Newton, but they are all good.

Go see it and support it! The viewing I attended Saturday was full, but more person to person recommendations need to be given.

On the subject of the hymn, which is played by a bagpipe band at the end of the movie (chillbump time) Steve Turner's Amazing Grace, The Story of America's Most Beloved Song, is one of my favorite books and also deserves putting out a few bucks.