Movie review
November 13, 2020 · 118 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Ammonite is a 2020 romantic drama directed by Francis Lee starring Kate Winslet as real-life paleontologist Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison. Set in 1840s England, it follows their developing relationship as Charlotte convalesces under Mary's care, leading to an intense personal and physical bond amid class differences and personal loss. The film centers its narrative on a fictional lesbian romance, including explicit intimate scenes, as the primary driver of character transformation and emotional stakes.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Ammonite.
Woke representation / casting
No forced diversity, identity signaling via casting, or mismatches; all-female leads and supporting cast fit the 1840s Lyme Regis setting and character genders perfectly with no audience-visible quotas or swaps.
Woke political dialogue
Almost none; conversations center on personal matters like fossils, illness, family loss, and budding affection without ideological speeches or modern framing.
Identity-driven story themes
The entire narrative engine is the intense lesbian romance and sexual awakening between Mary and Charlotte, framed as transformative connection defying class and societal expectations in a repressive era.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Mild depiction of Victorian marriage and class constraints with the husband shown as emotionally distant and career-focused at wife's expense; stays historical and personal without extending to contemporary systemic critiques of patriarchy or institutions.
Woke character or canon changes
Major alteration: invented explicit lesbian romance for documented historical figures Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison despite zero historical evidence, publicly framed by director as intentional queering of overlooked history.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Notable pre-release outrage and media criticism over fabricating lesbian relationship for real paleontologist, labeled by some as politically motivated revisionism; backlash present but primarily accuracy-focused rather than broad cultural "woke" storm.
Creator track record context
Francis Lee consistently creates films centered on queer working-class protagonists and relationships, as in his debut God's Own Country; motivations include personal identification with outsider queer narratives and elevating such stories.
Production
