Is ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ worth watching?
In the bustling world of period dramas—think a dash of The Crown meets the fervent vibes of a Shaker revival—The Testament of Ann Lee has emerged as a cinematic revelation, starring Amanda Seyfried in a role that's already Oscar-buzzed. Directed by Mona Fastvold, this ambitious biopic-musical dives into the life of Ann Lee, the 18th-century visionary who founded the Shakers, blending ecstatic song-and-dance sequences with themes of faith and equality. But amid the hype from festivals like Venice, is it truly worth your time? We've sifted through the latest reviews to deliver the verdict.
Critics are buzzing
Diving into The Testament of Ann Lee, reviewers from outlets like Roger Ebert and The New York Times hail it as a mighty production with Amanda Seyfried delivering an extraordinary, career-defining performance as the Shaker founder. They praise Mona Fastvold’s ambitious direction, blending historical drama with inventive musical numbers that capture the sect’s ecstatic worship.
Yet not all feedback sings praises; some critics, including those at Religion Unplugged and The Boston Globe, note a cold emotional distance and pacing issues that make the film feel boring or underdeveloped. On platforms like X and Reddit, opinions split, with some calling it a transcendent masterpiece and others decrying repetitive songs.
Ultimately, The Testament of Ann Lee is worth watching for fans of bold period pieces and stellar acting—think a queer-inflected take on faith’s fervor, akin to The Handmaid’s Tale meets Jesus Christ Superstar. If divisive art excites you, this one’s a shakerupper.
The verdict from viewers
Posts on X reveal a fervent fanbase for The Testament of Ann Lee, with users like film critics hailing it as the decade’s best musical, praising its euphoric score and Amanda Seyfried’s transcendent turn. Many describe euphoric highs from the Shaker dance sequences, echoing Venice Film Festival buzz.
Yet, some X users and Reddit threads temper the praise, critiquing the film’s pacing as horrendous and songs as repetitive, failing to forge emotional connections. A few even rate it lowly, calling it a massive swing that misses despite stellar cinematography.
Balancing these views, The Testament of Ann Lee shines for those craving innovative period drama with a musical twist—worth watching if bold, faith-infused spectacles like The Sound of Music reimagined intrigue you, but skip if slow builds bore.
The numbers don’t lie
On aggregate sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, The Testament of Ann Lee boasts solid scores around the 80% mark, reflecting widespread acclaim for its innovative blend of biography and musical elements. Critics highlight the film’s euphoric score and Amanda Seyfried’s powerhouse performance, drawing comparisons to bold epics like The Brutalist.
However, user ratings on IMDb and Letterboxd reveal a polarized reception, with an average of 7.0 amid complaints of sluggish pacing and emotional detachment. Some reviews echo sentiments from Religion Unplugged, labeling it a cold take on fervent faith that drags during extended dance sequences.
Weighing these metrics, The Testament of Ann Lee emerges as a worthwhile watch for cinephiles seeking ambitious storytelling—think Les Misérables with a Shaker twist—but it may not convert those preferring tighter narratives over stylistic flair.
Awards season spotlight
Fresh off its Venice premiere, “The Testament of Ann Lee” snagged a Golden Lion nomination and buzzed with praise for Amanda Seyfried’s career-best portrayal of the Shaker founder. Reviews from Variety and IndieWire laud Mona Fastvold’s inventive musical approach, blending piety with euphoric song-and-dance that echoes the sect’s utopian ideals.
However, not all accolades align; some critiques, like those in The New York Times and Roger Ebert, acknowledge ambitious scope but point to emotional detachment amid the spectacle. Posts on X echo this divide, with users debating the film’s divisive artistry versus its occasional pacing lulls.
In the end, “The Testament of Ann Lee” merits a watch for awards-season enthusiasts drawn to bold biopics—evoking Chicago with a historical twist—but it might not sway those seeking straightforward emotional depth over stylistic ambition.
Faithful perspectives
Delving into religious angles on The Testament of Ann Lee, outlets like Plugged In spotlight its quasi-Christian Shaker roots but warn of heretical elements that undermine the narrative. Meanwhile, Religion Unplugged critiques the film’s emotional chill, contrasting it with the Shakers’ fervent worship through song and dance.
Yet, broader analyses, including those from The New York Times, celebrate Amanda Seyfried‘s singular portrayal of Ann Lee as a female Christ figure, emphasizing themes of gender equality in a utopian society. This draws from real historical events, adding depth to the biopic’s ambitious scope.
For viewers intrigued by faith-infused period pieces—evoking The Witch with ecstatic twists—The Testament of Ann Lee is worth watching, but those sensitive to theological liberties might find its bold take divisive or off-putting.
Musical highs
In The Testament of Ann Lee, the musical elements shine brightest, with critics on X and sites like Variety praising the euphoric score by Daniel Blumberg that elevates Shaker worship into transcendent song-and-dance sequences. This inventive blend captures the sect’s ecstatic faith, drawing comparisons to bold epics like The Brutalist.
However, some reviews, including those from Letterboxd users and Reddit threads, argue the repetitive songs and extended dances create pacing drags, making the emotional fervor feel distant despite the ambitious spectacle. This divide highlights the film’s risky fusion of biography and musical theater.
Ultimately, if innovative musicals with historical twists excite you—think Rhythm Nation meets period drama—The Testament of Ann Lee is worth watching for its euphoric highs, but those seeking concise storytelling might find the stylistic flourishes overwhelming.
Fastvold’s bold direction
Mona Fastvold’s vision in The Testament of Ann Lee earns rave reviews from outlets like Variety and IndieWire, which call it an avant-garde epic that transforms Ann Lee’s Shaker legacy into euphoric musical sequences. Critics applaud her ambitious fusion of history and song, creating a transcendent experience akin to classical possession.
However, some voices, including Religion Unplugged, critique Fastvold’s approach as emotionally distant, resulting in a cold portrayal of fervent faith that bores despite inventive dances. Reddit threads echo this, noting how her stylistic risks lead to pacing issues and underdeveloped character arcs.
For those drawn to daring directorial swings—evoking the bold strokes of The Brutalist—The Testament of Ann Lee is worth watching, rewarding patient viewers with innovative highs, though it may not resonate if you prefer warmth over artistic chill.Final verdict
So, is The Testament of Ann Lee worth watching? Absolutely, if you’re into ambitious biopics that blend euphoric musicality with historical depth—Seyfried’s revelatory performance alone justifies the ticket. But if pacing woes or emotional distance deter you, it might not convert. Dive in for bold cinema that shakes up the genre.
