Ammonite Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two ladies find rocks, find each other, and then one bails to London leaving the other to stare longingly at a fossil in a museum.

🍿 Ammonite: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Mary Anning

Set in 1840s England, the film introduces Mary Anning, a celebrated but disregarded fossil hunter working on the rugged Southern coastline in Lyme Regis. She struggles to make ends meet by selling common fossils to tourists, while also caring for her ailing mother. Mary’s days of significant discoveries are behind her, and she lives a solitary and austere life.

The Arrival of Charlotte Murchison

A wealthy geologist, Roderick Murchison, visits Mary’s shop with his wife, Charlotte, who is suffering from melancholia. Roderick offers Mary a sum of money to take care of Charlotte while he goes on a European expedition. Despite her initial reluctance, Mary accepts the offer, seeing it as a financial opportunity.

Developing Bond

Initially, Mary and Charlotte clash due to their different social classes and personalities. However, as Charlotte recovers and begins to accompany Mary on her fossil hunting trips, a bond starts to form. They find solace in each other’s company, challenging the social barriers that separate them.

Romantic Relationship

As their connection deepens, Mary and Charlotte develop a romantic relationship. They share intimate moments, challenging the norms of Victorian England. Their love affair becomes a central focus of the storyline, exploring themes of passion, intimacy, and societal constraints.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mary Anning (Kate Winslet): A talented but overlooked paleontologist in 1840s England, she struggles to make a living selling fossils and finds an unexpected connection with a visiting woman.
• Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan): A melancholic young woman sent to convalesce by the sea, she develops a passionate relationship with Mary Anning that challenges societal norms.
• Molly Anning (Gemma Jones): Mary’s ailing and grieving mother, she provides a somber presence in Mary’s life and a reminder of past losses.
• Roderick Murchison (James McArdle): Charlotte’s wealthy and emotionally distant husband, he commissions Mary to care for his wife, inadvertently sparking their affair.
• Elizabeth Philpot (Fiona Shaw): A friend of Mary Anning, she offers her support and a reminder of past romantic experiences.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mary: “I don’t want to be an item in your collection, to be put on display when you want to look at me.” – Mary says this when she realizes Charlotte views her as a possession.
• Mary: “You don’t know me.” – Mary says this to Charlotte, highlighting the emotional distance between them.
• Charlotte: “I want you.” – Charlotte declares her feelings for Mary.
• Mary: “There was a young lady named Sally, who enjoyed the occasional dally. She sat on the lap of a well-endowed chap, and cried ‘Sir! You’re right up my alley!’” – Mary recites a somewhat bawdy rhyme.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $160,930
• Worldwide Gross: $1,109,287

💥 Ammonite Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Ammonite’ to be a really moving experience. Winslet and Ronan were just incredible, and I felt their connection so deeply. I especially loved the scenes on the beach; the starkness of the landscape really mirrored the emotional barriers the characters had built. The ending left me a bit heartbroken, but it also felt true to the complexities of their situation. It’s a film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. I was hoping for a happy ending but instead, this movie will make you appreciate the beautiful performance.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ themed stories”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven films with strong performances”
  • “Viewers interested in paleontology”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Depiction of grief and depression”
  • “Implied class differences”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Winslet and Ronan deliver powerful performances, capturing the slow burn of their characters’ connection against the harsh backdrop of 1840s England. The film excels in its atmospheric portrayal of Lyme Regis, but the historical inaccuracies may deter some viewers.
• The Guardian: “Ammonite is a visually striking film with strong performances, but its fictionalized romance overshadows the historical significance of Mary Anning. The explicit scenes feel somewhat gratuitous, detracting from the overall impact of the story.
• Variety: “While Kate Winslet delivers a committed performance, the film struggles to find depth beyond its surface-level lesbian romance. The historical context is intriguing, but ultimately the narrative feels underdeveloped and emotionally distant.

Audience Reactions

Kate Winslet’s performance as the hardened Mary Anning was captivating and deeply moving.: Viewers praised the performances of Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, as well as the stunning cinematography.

Many appreciated the film’s exploration of class differences and the challenges faced by women in science during the 19th century.: Audience members also acknowledged the film’s historical inaccuracies and the fictionalized nature of the romance.

Overall Consensus: Ammonite is a visually striking film with strong performances, but its historical inaccuracies and focus on a fictionalized romance divide opinions.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the life of Mary Anning, a real-life paleontologist who made significant fossil discoveries in the early 19th century.”
• “Director Francis Lee aimed to explore the themes of social class, scientific recognition, and female relationships in a historically accurate setting.”
• “Saoirse Ronan’s favorite film growing up was Titanic (1997), so she was overjoyed to not only act in a film with Kate Winslet, but to also play her lover. Ronan said to Winslet when filming: “Who would have thought, when I was eight years old, that I’d be kissing Rose one day!””
• “Filming took place in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, the actual location where Mary Anning lived and made her discoveries.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ammonite?

Ammonite is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can rent or purchase the movie through these services. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ammonite, you might like these similar films:

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): Both films are period lesbian romances with a focus on the intimate and emotional connection between two women.
• God’s Own Country (2017): Also directed by Francis Lee, this film explores themes of isolation, working-class life, and finding intimacy in unexpected places, similar to ‘Ammonite’.
• Gentleman Jack (2019-2022): This series also presents a historical lesbian romance, set slightly earlier in the 19th century, focused on Anne Lister, a landowner and diarist.
• Carol (2015): A historical romantic drama about a forbidden love between two women in the 1950s, capturing similar themes of societal constraints and personal longing.

🛒 Ammonite Related Products

• Fossil Kit for Kids – Dig Up 15 Real Fossils Including Ammonites!: Unearth your own ammonite and other exciting fossils with this educational kit. This hands-on experience brings the world of paleontology to life, perfect for young explorers and budding scientists.
• 1840s Victorian Dress – Historical Costume: Experience the elegance and style of 1840s England with a beautifully crafted Victorian dress. Perfect for cosplay, historical reenactments, or simply expressing your love for the era.
• The море Themed Music Box: The wooden music box is engraved with beautiful and clear patterns, and the high quality movement makes the music box sound great.The music box is small and easy to carry
• Sea Salt Soaps Gift Set: Includes 9 assorted bath bombs of various scents,colors and shapes that can create a romantic, relaxing and funny atmosphere for your bath

🎧 Soundtrack

Ammonite features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gesellschafts – Walzer, Op. 5” – performed by Johann Strauss Sr.
• “Original Score Excerpts” – performed by Volker Bertelmann & Dustin O’Halloran

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Saoirse Ronan Talks Playing Kate Winslet’s Lover – “I’m The New Jack! I’m The New Leo!”

Ever wonder how actors prepare for intimate roles? Saoirse Ronan spills the tea on getting ready to play Kate Winslet’s lover in Ammonite, and it sounds like she had a blast! Definitely worth a watch to see her excitement.

Kate Winslet on “Ammonite” and life during COVID

Want to hear Kate Winslet’s thoughts on Ammonite and how the pandemic affected filming? She gives a really interesting perspective, especially considering her role in ‘Contagion’! Give it a watch, it’s more insightful than you might think.

Ammonite (2020) Romance/Drama Movie Explained

Did you find Ammonite a bit confusing or just want to make sure you didn’t miss anything? This video breaks down the whole movie and its themes in under 10 minutes. Super helpful if you want a quick refresher!

✨ Rate