By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
SHAKEN BELIEFS: AMANDA SEYFRIED'S FEARLESS TURN IN "THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE"
"The Testament of Ann Lee" is one of those rare films that refuse to sit neatly inside a single genre, and that resistance is precisely what makes it so compelling.
Based on a true story, the film traces the life of Ann Lee, (an exceptional Amanda Seyfried, "The Housemaid”), the 18th-century spiritual leader who would go on to found The Shakers, a religious sect named for the ecstatic, trembling movements that accompanied their worship.
Directed by
Mona Fastvold, ("The Brutalist" and TV's "The Crowded Room"), who co-wrote the script with
Brady Corbet, ("The Brutalist"), the movie plays at once like a musical, a biblical drama, and a historical documentary.
It's an unconventional blend, but rather than feeling scattered, the shifting tones mirror the radical ideas and emotional intensity of its subject.
Spanning England and early America, the film follows Ann's rise from obscurity, shaped by personal tragedy and fierce conviction, as she preaches gender equality, communal living, and spiritual devotion that defied the rigid norms of her time.
Central to her belief system is the idea that sexual relations are unworthy of God-- a stance that creates a profound rift in her marriage and ultimately alienates her husband, Abraham (a terrific Christopher Abbott, "Wolf Man"). This rejection of earthly intimacy becomes both a spiritual cornerstone and a personal sacrifice, fueling Ann's isolation even as it strengthens her resolve.
As her followers begin to see her as the female embodiment of Christ, persecution intensifies, forcing Ann to protect both her believers and the fragile utopia they are struggling to build.
At the center of it all is Amanda Seyfried, who delivers what may be the boldest and most daring performance of her career. Coming off a banner year that includes her standout work in "The Housemaid," Seyfried--who has earned "Best Actress" nominations from the
Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards--fully inhabits Ann Lee with a mix of fragility, steel, and spiritual intensity.
But here's the thing about "The Testament of Ann Lee." This is not always an easy or pleasant film to watch. There are harsh, often unsettling moments that underscore the cost of belief and persecution, and it certainly won't be for everyone.
Still, viewers with more discerning tastes will likely find themselves drawn in by Seyfried and a strong supporting cast that includes Thomasin McKenzie, ("Joy"), Lewis Pullman ("Thunderbolts"), who plays Ann Lee's brother William, and Tim Blake Nelson (TV's "The Lowdown") as Pastor Reuben Wright. The film also includes a brief but meaningful appearance by an African American woman named Patsy (Lark White, "Ride or Die"), whose late scene underscores the Shakers' welcoming nature and their opposition to slavery.
"The Testament of Ann Lee" is a challenging and distinctive film--often odd--always intriguing and one that lingers long after the final frame.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
