Amazing Grace / Miss Potter / The Painted Veil (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk) [DVD] [2007]

Synopsis
AMAZING GRACE is based on the true tale of the 18th-century British politician William Wilberforce. Though as a young man Wilberforce is torn between politics and the church, he is inspired to action by John Newton (Albert Finney), a penitent monk who is haunted by his past as a slave-ship captain. Wilberforce makes it his mission to end slavery in the British Empire, and, aided by a small band of radical thinkers and unlikely supporters, he annually presents a bill for abolition to Parliament. When the war with France generates a patriotism in the people that makes opposition to slavery seem seditious, Wilberforce becomes disillusioned, and he retires to his cousin’s (Nicholas Farrell) house, physically ill and emotionally destroyed by his perceived failure. When he meets the beautiful and righteous Barbara Spooner, however, he gains new determination to pursue his dream of abolition.

MISS POTTER is a biopic of best-selling children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Not content with a life of social posturing, she sets her sights on a writing career. After landing a lucrative book deal, Beatrix starts work on her debut release THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT, and in the process, falls in love with her publisher.

THE PAINTED VEIL is a complex and beautiful international production, this adaptation benefits greatly from the lack restrictions that inhibited it’s previous incarnations in 1925 (with Greta Garbo) and in 1957 (as THE SEVENTH SIN). After pressure from her wealthy parents to settle down, Kitty (Naomi Watts) marries mild-mannered bacteriologist Walter (Edward Norton), despite her lack of love for him. Shortly after their vows, he takes her to Shanghai, where she immediately has an affair with Charles Townsend (Liev Shrieber), an English Vice Consul. Walter becomes aware of Kitty’s indiscretion and promptly whisks her away to the mountain village of Mei-tan-fu, where they befriend another English expat, the secretly decadent Deputy Commissioner Waddington (Toby Jones, in an extremely likeable performance). Walter begins working to hold an encroaching cholera epidemic at bay---leaving Kitty to ponder her role in the situation as death looms over the village like a spectre.

Synopsis
Amazing Grace: In this inspirational costume drama, Michael Apted (49 Up) recounts a important period in British history. Unsurprisingly, however, his eye-opening biography of 18th century abolitionist William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd) is likely to come as a revelation to many Britons. After all, despite the presence of his wife, Barbara (Romola Garai), this isn't a particularly "sexy" story, but it is a powerful one. The title comes from John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" ("I once was lost but now am found"). Newton (Albert Finney) was a former slaveholder, who became a clergyman and spent his days repenting. While America had John Brown, England had Wilberforce, and Newton is one of many who helped the MP to abolish slavery in the UK. Apted and writer Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things) do right by their hero. Unlike Amistad, however, slaves are largely off-screen, with the exception of author Equiano (Senegalese vocalist Youssou N'Dour). Amazing Grace reserves its focus for the politicians who risked their reps for the greater good, like Wilberforce and Prime Minister Pitt (an excellent Benedict Cumberbatch), and those more concerned with the income slavery provided their constituents, like Lord Tarleton (Ciarán Hinds) and the Duke of Clarence (Toby Jones). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Miss Potter walks that fine line between charming and cloying with pleasing sure-footedness. Apple-cheeked Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones' Diary) once again slips into a British accent to play writer/illustrator Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit. Potter, born into wealth, fought the disapproval of her high society mother to do something as crass as publish a book... and to fall in love with her publisher, Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor, previously teamed with Zellweger in Down With Love). Unfortunately, their love runs into something worse than upper-class stuffiness. Miss Potter skips through Potter's life a bit too briskly at times, but Zellweger's thankfully restrained performance, McGregor's infinite charm, and some beautiful shots of the English landscape keep the movie grounded and engaging. Also featuring a crackling supporting performance by Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves) as Warne's sister Millie. --Bret Fetzer

The Painted Veil: The third film version of Somerset Maugham’s 1925 novel--directed by John Curran--is ripe with stunning Chinese locales and a smart turn from Naomi Watts as Kitty Fane, the aging English socialite who must put herself in strange and turbulent surroundings before she finds her true self. A complex and beautiful international production, this adaptation benefits greatly from the lack restrictions that inhibited it’s previous incarnations in 1925 (with Greta Garbo) and in 1957 (as The Seventh Skin). After pressure from her wealthy parents to settle down, Kitty (Naomi Watts) marries mild-mannered bacteriologist Walter (Edward Norton), despite her lack of love for him. Shortly after their vows, he takes her to Shanghai, where she immediately has an affair with Charles Townsend (Liev Shrieber), an English Vice Consul. Walter becomes aware of Kitty’s indiscretion and promptly whisks her away to the mountain village of Mei-tan-fu, where they befriend another English expat, the secretly decadent Deputy Commissioner Waddington (Toby Jones, in an extremely likeable performance). Walter begins working to hold an encroaching cholera epidemic at bay---leaving Kitty to ponder her role in the situation as death looms over the village like a spectre. Watts is the heart of the film, all bee-stung lips and sweat on porcelain skin. Romantic, escapist entertainment in the best sense, The Painted Veil is yet more proof that there is an endless pool of silver screen potential in the classics of literature.

Becoming Jane [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Anne Hathaway 3.3 out of 5 stars (49)  £4.98

The Illusionist [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Edward Norton 3.8 out of 5 stars (75)  £4.98

Atonement [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ Keira Knightley 3.2 out of 5 stars (206)  £3.98

Cranford : Complete BBC Series [2007] [DVD] DVD ~ Judi Dench 4.8 out of 5 stars (64)  £5.98

Notes On A Scandal [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ Cate Blanchett 3.9 out of 5 stars (53)  £4.98

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2 Reviews 5 star:    (0) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   8 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A decent collection, 14 Dec 2007 By  J "chasingshadows" (Liverpool, UK) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    'Amazing Grace' = This is perhaps the least picturesque of the three films in this collection and despite concentrating solely on the political elements of the period, `Amazing Grace' is easily the most authentic and enjoyable period piece. It has fewer moments of sentimentality than the other two films and is unsettling without ever being graphic. It could be labelled quite a mainstream film in that it doesn't attempt a comprehensive exploration of the horrors of its subject matter, but it's a totally honest story very well told. But best of all it educates the viewer as to how large a task the protagonist William Wilberforce set himself and how many obstacles he faced in his opposition of the slave trade. It's easy to say that slavery is wrong and abhorrent in retrospect and that had you been in his position you would have also been completely opposed, but at that time the slave trade was considered acceptable and however wrong, he was just one man battling not just a nation, but the world. And in that same position, I at least wondered whether I would have been as brave as he. (8/10) 'Miss Potter' = Renee Zellweger as Beatrix Potter. It doesn't quite work, but it doesn't need to. She's totally sympathetic, charismatic and most importantly- chirpy. But this is a film completely geared to the American market with a story that is slightly thin but told very quickly and has some often tactless English stereotypes thrown in for good measure. So I couldn't help but wonder how an English actress would have approached the role, perhaps providing a more credible performance, but it's difficult for those thoughts to linger when Zellweger is so charming. This is a short film, just over eighty minutes and throughout its duration I found the dialogue to be needlessly intellectual, nothing too dense, just longer words in every sentence than seemed necessary or likely of that period and those characters. Beatrix Potter was naturally an incredibly intelligent, articulate and observant woman, but in the script her off-the-cuff remarks, witticisms and quips seemed too well rehearsed and forced to ring true. Perhaps this is more noticeable due to the pace of the film and the speed at which the characters converse, which had me wondering if my DVD player speed was set to fast forward. But enjoyable nonetheless. (7/10) With `The Painted Veil' the worst was definitely saved for last. A monotonous, tedious, mediocre film with two-dimensional characters and a pedestrian, if not completely pointless script. As the film begins, both Naomi Watts and Edward Norton's characters are self-centred, cruel and unsympathetic, then the film progresses with both Mr. and Mrs. Fane coming to realise the trivialness of their lives in the face of a terrible disease afflicting a Chinese community and suddenly the viewer is asked to care for these characters anew. Perhaps you'll find reason to be persuaded they're decent, kind, worthy individuals, but I couldn't connect to them for a moment and felt manipulated by the entire film. (4/10) Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars All worth a look, 2 April 2008 By  E. J. Blackstock "I'm running out of room!" (Hants, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Good value for money having 3 films in 1 and well worth it. If I had my way, everyone should see 'Amazing Grace'. It was a superb film and had my husband and I gripped from beginning to end. A fascinating insight into the life of a man I certainly did not know enough about. I also learnt far more about the slave trade in this film than I had been taught previously from other forms of media. Brilliantly acted by all concerned - especially the part of John Newton played by Albert Finney. Gripping, interesting, fascinating, well-shot, acted and directed. I didn't want this film to end. 10/10 'Miss Potter' is a charming film, beautifully shot and well worth a look. Suitable for all ages and dispositions! I agree with the comments made by the previous reviewer. Renee is charming, but I felt that too many of her usual 'looks' and mannerisms kept creeping in and therefore I had to remind myself that this was a period film not one set in modern times. I too would have liked to have seen an English actress in this role. I'm sure it would have seemed more credible somehow. There's some great one-liners in this - particularly from Beatrix' mother. 8 1/2/10 'The Painted Veil'. I don't quite understand why 2 Americans were chosen to play an English couple, but it seems to be a growing trend. However, both actors did a pretty decent job of the accent. It is an interesting film and worth a look, but not at all as I had imagined the film to be, particularly going by the synopsis. The drama wasn't there for me. The beginning was extremely hurried, confusing me with time-lines. It would have been better to have understood and developed the couple's relationship more deeply at the beginning. Heavily edited? I'm not sure, but a shame none-the-less. Its worth a look, but could have been so much more. 7/10 Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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