Jump to content

Ammonite (film)

From Alfawiki
Ammonite
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2020
FounderFrancis Lee (director and writer)
ProductsRomantic drama film

Ammonite is a 2020 romantic drama film crafted and helmed by Francis Lee. The narrative is loosely inspired by the life of British palaeontologist Mary Anning, who is portrayed by Kate Winslet. The story imagines a romantic connection between Anning and geologist Charlotte Murchison, played by Saoirse Ronan. The ensemble cast also features Gemma Jones, James McArdle, Alec Secăreanu, and Fiona Shaw.

The film had its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September 2020. It was later released in Australia on 14 January 2021 through Transmission Films, followed by a United Kingdom release on 26 March 2021 via Lionsgate.

Plot

Set in the 1840s, paleontologist Mary Anning resides with her ill mother, Molly, who assists in managing a modest shop located in Lyme Regis, Dorset. Mary dedicates her mornings to fossil hunting along the shoreline, focusing mainly on small ammonite specimens that she sells in their store. Together, they meticulously clean and polish a series of eight animal figurines.

Archaeologist Roderick Murchison visits their shop accompanied by his wife, Charlotte, who admires Mary’s craftsmanship and compensates her for a guided fossil-collecting excursion. Although initially uneasy, Mary agrees to accompany Charlotte. Roderick treats Charlotte with indifference before departing for Europe, leaving Charlotte under Mary’s care as she recuperates in Lyme Regis. Charlotte joins Mary on beach outings but becomes ill following a swim; Dr. Lieberson prescribes rest with Mary acting as her caretaker. To aid Charlotte’s healing, Mary purchases salve from her friend Elizabeth Philpot.

Once recovered, Charlotte assists Mary with household tasks; together they create a mirror frame adorned with cowries. Charlotte confides that the figurines symbolize her eight deceased children. Dr. Lieberson invites them to a recital, where Mary brings Charlotte along. While Charlotte mingles indoors, Mary watches from outside during a rainstorm, feeling envious.

Using planks salvaged from a stranded boat, Mary and Charlotte shift a large rock inside the shop to reveal an ichthyosaur fossil resembling one Mary had discovered as a child and sent to the British Museum. That evening, their mutual attraction deepens into a romantic relationship. They share meals and swim together until Roderick’s letter summons Charlotte back to London. Before departing, they share an intimate encounter.

Following Molly’s fatal accident, Elizabeth encourages the grieving Mary not to forsake her relationship with Charlotte as she had previously done after losing her own father. Later, at Charlotte’s invitation, Mary visits London and notices one of her ammonite fossils displayed at the Murchison residence. When shown a bedroom prepared for her stay, Mary accuses Charlotte of attempting to confine her in a "gilded cage" and leaves abruptly.

At the British Museum, Mary discovers her ichthyosaur fossil exhibited without acknowledgment. Charlotte arrives wearing attire similar to Mary’s; they exchange a meaningful look across the glass display.

Cast

Production

In December 2018, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan were announced as part of the cast for the film, which was both directed and penned by Francis Lee. The production team included Iain Canning, Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly, and Emile Sherman, with backing from See-Saw Films, BBC Films, and the British Film Institute. By March 2019, Fiona Shaw had been added to the ensemble, with Alec Secăreanu, James McArdle, and Gemma Jones joining in May.

Filming officially commenced on 11 March 2019 in Lyme Regis, located in Dorset. To deepen character progression, sequences were captured in chronological order. David Tucker, who directs the Lyme Regis Museum, provided guidance to ensure scientific elements were portrayed authentically, enhancing the film’s credibility.

Release

In February 2019, distribution rights for Ammonite were secured by Lionsgate for the UK market and by Transmission Films for Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired most international rights, covering regions such as Italy, Latin America, the Middle East, Turkey, Scandinavia, South Africa, Spain, and parts of Asia excluding Japan. In January 2020, Neon obtained US and Canadian distribution rights with a $3 million deal. The film was initially slated to debut at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival; however, this event was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It was also chosen for the Telluride Film Festival, which faced a similar cancellation.

Ammonite premiered globally at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September, where Kate Winslet was honored with TIFF's Tribute Actor Award. The film was also screened or planned to be shown at several other festivals including Deauville, Hamptons, Mill Valley, Newfest, Ghent, BFI London (where it served as the closing feature), Chicago International, and Montclair.

Theatrical release dates included 13 November 2020 in the United States, followed by Australia on 14 January 2021 and the United Kingdom on 26 March 2021.

Box office

During its opening weekend, the film earned $87,552 across 280 theaters.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, Ammonite holds an approval rating based on numerous reviews with an average score reflecting positive feedback. The site’s consensus highlights that the dynamic between Saoirse Ronan and a standout Kate Winslet elevates the film beyond a typical period romance. On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100 from 41 critics, signifying "generally favorable reviews."

Katie Rife from The A.V. Club gave the film a B− grade, noting issues with tonal inconsistency and insufficient chemistry between the leads. The Hollywood Reporter ranked it as their fourth-best film of 2020. Additionally, it was placed 27th on IndieWire's list of the top 50 films of that year and appeared at number 43 on Esquire’s annual roundup. The movie was also featured in RogerEbert.com’’s compilation of "The Best Films of 2020."

Historical accuracy

The film’s depiction of Mary Anning’s sexuality lacks historical evidence and has sparked debate over its accuracy. Among her distant relatives, opinions vary: Lorraine Anning expressed support for portraying her as a lesbian, whereas Barbara Anning voiced criticism. Director Francis Lee defended this creative decision by emphasizing that representing queer narratives where heterosexuality is often assumed without proof is justified. While some critiques challenged this portrayal, The Guardian acknowledged that the film accurately underscores the significant influence women had in Anning’s life.

Accolades

Award Ceremony Date Category Nominee(s) Outcome References
AACTA International Awards 6 March 2021 Best Supporting Actress Saoirse Ronan Template:Nominated Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 17 May 2021 Film Score of the Year Volker Bertelmann Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
British Academy Film Awards 11 April 2021 Best Costume Design Michael O'Connor Template:Nominated Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
British Independent Film Awards 18 February 2021 Best Costume Design Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Make Up & Hair Design Ivana Primorac Template:Nom
Casting Society of America Awards 15 April 2021 Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Studio or Independent Feature (Comedy) Fiona Weir Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Dorian Awards 18 April 2021 Best LGBTQ Film Ammonite Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
GLAAD Media Award 8 April 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Limited Release Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 27 January 2021 Best Original Score in an Independent Film Dustin O’Halloran and Volker Bertelmann Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
London Film Critics' Circle 7 February 2021 Technical Achievement (cinematography) Stéphane Fontaine Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
North Dakota Film Society Awards 15 January 2021 Best Actress Kate Winslet Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have contentCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Supporting Actress Saoirse Ronan Template:Nom
Best Original Score Dustin O’Halloran and Volker Bertelmann Template:Nom
Online Association of Female Film Critics 1 March 2021 Best Cinematography Stéphane Fontaine Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
San Francisco International Film Festival 18 December 2020 SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Prize Ammonite Template:Won Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Satellite Awards 15 February 2021 Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama Kate Winslet Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Seville European Film Festival 14 November 2020 Golden Giraldillo Ammonite Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage 21 November 2020 Golden Frog Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Women Film Critics Circle Awards 8 March 2021 Best Movie About Women Template:Runner-up Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Screen Couple Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan Template:Won
Best Kept Secret – Overlooked Challenging Gems Ammonite Template:Won


Additional resources

External resources

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Ammonite_(film)&oldid=49131"