Weekend Watch: The Crown Series 4 And Ammonite
The Royals return and Kate Winslet's fossil hunter finds love
Image Credit: Netflix
Welcome to the latest edition of Weekend Watch, in which I recommend (or occasionally warn against) movies or TV shows I’ve been checking out. This week, Olivia Colman and the “firm” are back, and Kate Winslet finds fossils and passion with Saoirse Ronan.
The third series of The Crown (sorry, I just can’t quite bring myself to call them “seasons” given my British roots) was dominated by a few stand-out episodes but suffered from a lack of momentum and a patchy tone. I’m happy to report that Series 4, while not quite hitting the dramatic highs of ‘Aberfan’, is much more consistent.
A clear advantage for this second run of episodes starring Olivia Colman, Tobias Menzies, Josh O’Connor and the current cast is the addition of Gillian Anderson as 1980s Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A figure of both respect and hatred in the UK, she towered over politics and became world famous even as the country experienced some cultural convulsions thanks to her government. There will be some who have an issue with her portrayal here, which, in the time she’s given, rounds her out to be more than just the speeches, TV appearances and satire might suggest. Anderson walks the line between impersonation and interpretation, and the result sparks off of Colman’s Queen Elizabeth in a way we’ve rarely seen since John Lithgow played Winston Churchill opposite Claire Foy.
Elsewhere, the big story is naturally the arrival of Lady Diana Spencer, who quickly becomes Princess Diana. Emma Corrin faces an even more daunting challenge than Anderson, as Diana is one of the most public figures in history. And, along with the Crown’s team, doesn’t always stick the landing when it comes to the portrayal. Her younger, less photographed days are more effective, but there will again be some who are shocked that this isn’t some hagiography of the People’s Princess – her foibles and eating disorder are on full display here. While it’s natural that the Diana narrative would dominate, it’s almost a shame that she takes time away that could have gone to Anderson. Josh O’Connor steps up to bring more colours to Charles, who makes a rod for his own back with his constant pining for Camilla.
As is usual for the drama, time ticks away quickly, news footage filling in the gaps and room only for a sprinkling of the big stories of the day (I do wonder why an entire episode was given over to Michael Fagan, who broke into Buckingham Palace twice, and ended up chatting with the Queen before his arrest, even though the writers and actor Tom Brooke take time to explore why he did what he did). Helena Bonham Carter’s Princess Margaret is sidelined more this time, but she grabs her chances to shine with both hands, showing that she’s still got a rebellious streak even as she’s adopted the snooty classism that pervades her family.
The performances are typically strong, and it’ll again be a shame to hand over to a new cast when series 5 kicks off in 2022. But given how successful this transition has been, my anticipation levels are high.
Series 4 arrives on Netflix on Sunday, November 15; I’ve seen all 10 episodes. Series 1-3 are on Netflix now.
Image Credit: Neon
Writer/director Francis Lee enjoyed breakout success with God’s Own Country in 2017, telling the tender and tough story of love between a farmer and a migrant worker. His interest in relationships amid rugged, desolate, landscapes that are beautiful in their own way. For his second film, Ammonite, he’s headed to the seaside for a fictional romance featuring a real-life character.
That would be Mary Anning, brought to flinty, stoic but compassionate life by Kate Winslet. An actual 1800s palaeontologist, the film finds her in the years after her career has largely flamed out. Ignored by her peers, she now scratches out a living for her and her aged, ailing mother (Gemma Jones) on the Lyme Regis coastline tracking down fossils and selling them to wealthy tourists. Her life changes when amateur palaeontologist Roderick Murchison (James McArdle) arrives in her shop, willing to pay her for her wisdom and experience. With him is his haunted, hollow wife Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan), who is recovering from a personal tragedy. Roderick is on the coast preparing to leave on a big European trip and doesn’t think his spouse is up to the trip. He asks Anning to look after her while he’s away, and the stage is set for the film’s real story.
Initially frustrated by the seeming burden of the young woman, Anning dutifully takes her on beach trips and encourages her to take advantage of the ocean. A first swimming trip doesn’t go well for Charlotte, and she’s left with a fever. As she recovers, Mary takes care of her, and a connection begins to form. Mary and Charlotte chip away at each other, finding something they’d both lost as they fall in love. And, as they do so, Lee lets the film warm up around them, suggesting with delicate shifts in colour tone and soundscape their growing affection.
Winslet is naturally great as Mary, digging into the role and finding the beating heart of Mary under her layers of clothing and perma-frown early behaviour. Ronan is right there with her, slowly and carefully bringing Charlotte back to life like a flower reopening its petals after winter’s chill.
Though Ammonite doesn’t have quite the same power as God’s Own Country, the stillness sometimes overwhelming the narrative, it remains a nuanced and thoughtful look at a relationship that blossoms in an unlikely place.
Ammonite will be in US cinemas on 13 November and Premium Video On Demand on 4 December. A UK release date has yet to be announced.