Mamma Mia! (2008)

From its visually stunning opening credits, which show women dancing through a forest to musical rhythms that sound almost primal, to its quiet, heartbreaking final frame, Mona Fastvold’s historical rendering of the Shaker religious movement is an experience that will stay with me for a long time.

While some viewers may find the slow pacing of The Testament of Ann Lee a bit demanding for a musical, to me, it only underscored the boldness and ambition of the unfolding story on screen. Amanda Seyfried held me in a trance from start to finish as Ann Lee, the founder of Shakerism. Her beautiful voice, accompanied by raw, thrilling music and choreography, reminded me that she is not only an incredibly expressive actress but also a phenomenal singer.

Herselfis directed byPhyllida Lloyd, best known for directingMamma Mia!andThe Iron Lady, written byMalcolm Campbell and starringClare Dunne.

The film illustrates the life of a single who struggles to provide an ideal childhood for her two daughters. Through acts of kindness from several individuals, Sandra builds a house and reestablishes her identity.

What started with a feel-good moment quickly turned disheartening. The film opens with Sandra (Dunne) singing and playing with her daughters, Molly and Emma (Molly McCannandRuby Rose O’Hara). Once Sandra’s husband Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson) enters the kitchen, things turn dark. After the girls are sent outside in the cold, Gary ruthlessly attacks Sandra — he shoves her around, punches her, and completely wrecks her hand. Although Emma was sent off with the code “Black Widow,” meaning Sandra is in danger, Molly witnessed the violent abuse. While her witnessing is predictable, the audience isn’t meant to realize this about Molly until later on in the film.