Ammonite (2020)
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A speculative romantic relationship blossoms between a paleontologist and a geologist in 1840s Dorset.
The story
In the 1840s, paleontologist Mary Anning lives with her ailing mother, Molly, helping run a small shop in Lyme Regis, Dorset. Mary spends her mornings searching for fossils, primarily tiny ammonites. One day, archaeologist Roderick Murchison visits with his wife, Charlotte. After an initial antagonistic meeting, Roderick entrusts Charlotte to Mary's care for convalescence while he tours Europe. Charlotte begins joining Mary on her beach trips. As Charlotte recovers from a high fever, the two women spend increasing time together, eventually developing a deep bond and a blossoming romantic attraction.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the 1840s, paleontologist Mary Anning lives with her ailing mother, Molly, in Lyme Regis, Dorset, where she searches for fossils for her shop. When archaeologist Roderick Murchison visits with his wife, Charlotte, he offers to pay Mary for a guided trip. After an initial meeting, Roderick leaves Charlotte in Mary's care to convalesce while he tours Europe. As Charlotte recovers from a fever, she joins Mary on beach trips and they bond over domestic chores and shared experiences. Their relationship evolves into a passionate romance, including oral sex and swimming together. However, a letter from Roderick instructs Charlotte to return to London. Before she leaves, the two have passionate sex. Following the death of Mary's mother, Charlotte invites Mary to London. Mary arrives to find a bedroom prepared for her, but she leaves, refusing to be an 'ornament' in a 'gilded cage.' The film ends with Mary at the British Museum, finding her original ichthyosaur on display with no mention of her name, while Charlotte watches her from across the gallery.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 117
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; Australia
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Francis Lee
- Writers
- Francis Lee · writer
- Cast and characters
- Kate Winslet · Mary Anning; Saoirse Ronan · Charlotte Murchison; Fiona Shaw · Elizabeth Philpot; Gemma Jones · Molly Anning; James McArdle · Roderick Murchison; Alec Secăreanu · Dr. Lieberson; Claire Rushbrook · Eleanor Butters
- Genres
- romantic drama; biographical drama; independent; LGBTQ-related
- Themes
- romance; historical fiction; female friendship; scientific discovery
- Tone and mood
- romantic; period drama; melancholic
- Setting
- Lyme Regis, Dorset, England in the 1840s
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; lesbian romance; historical; paleontology
- Source material / true-story basis
- The life of British palaeontologist Mary Anning
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the chemistry between the leads. It was featured on several year-end 'best of' lists for 2020.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 72 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Awards and nominations
- Tribute Actor Award · TIFF · win
- Production trivia
- Principal photography was shot chronologically to deepen immersion.; David Tucker, director of the Lyme Regis Museum, consulted on scientific accuracy.; The film was originally set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival before its cancellation.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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