I’ve by no means seen something fairly like “The Testomony of Ann Lee.” That is the kind of hyperbolic opening assertion I often prefer to keep away from when crafting a evaluation, however Mona Fastvold’s gloriously distinctive religious musical is actually one in all a form — a swooning, dizzying expertise stuffed with music and dance meant to conjure up a type of non secular ecstasy. I am unsure one of these film is destined to discover a extensive viewers, however I’m completely thrilled it exists. Are you uninterested in the identical outdated slop being churned out by Hollywood? Are you uninterested in lifeless musicals that fail to quicken the heartbeat and rile up the blood? The reply to your prayers is right here within the type of “The Testomony of Ann Lee,” top-of-the-line films of the yr.
Amanda Seyfried, who has one other film opening this month, offers arguably the perfect efficiency of 2025 as Ann Lee, the lady who lead the Shaker (or “Shaking Quakers”) motion within the 1700s. The Shakers have been a non secular sect that used music and dance as a type of worship, and Fastvold makes use of that idea and runs wild with it, making a musical stuffed with haunting, sensual actions and songs that encourage a sense of being enveloped by some kind of supernatural drive. Composer Daniel Blumberg took precise Shaker hymns to craft most of the songs within the movie, and whereas I do not suppose you possibly can name any of them “toe tappers,” they made the hairs on the again of my neck stand on finish. Listening to them, one can totally perceive why and the way Ann Lee turned such a holy determine.
Performed with uncooked, unflinching elation by Seyfried, who has by no means been pretty much as good as she is right here, Ann Lee is seen because the Second Coming of Christ who leads her followers from Manchester to America, constructing a group that takes to the woods to maneuver as in the event that they’re possessed by unseen forces. Choreographer Celia Rowlson-Corridor has discovered a strategy to make the dance actions look each spontaneous and meticulously designed, which is beautiful to behold.
The Testomony of Ann Lee takes the type of a fable
Ann Lee is an illiterate younger girl who falls in love at a non secular assembly with a person named Abraham, performed by Christopher Abbott. They appear to genuinely be in love, not less than at first, and their union produces 4 kids. Sadly, all 4 kids die shortly after childbirth, and the shock and grief appear to open Ann’s eyes to the reality: abstinence is the important thing to getting near God. She shortly rises from congregant to chief, instructing her followers to surrender all fleshly need — an idea that does not sit very nicely with the lustful Abraham.
There are a lot of methods Fastvold, writing the script with Brady Corbet (the duo additionally co-wrote final yr’s great “The Brutalist”), may’ve approached this story. A extra cynical filmmaker could have even taken a winking, mocking strategy. However Fastvold discovered herself genuinely moved by Ann Lee’s story whereas doing analysis, and treats the almost forgotten non secular determine with respect and reverence. That is to not say the movie is flat-out confirming that Ann Lee was the true deal.
As a substitute, “The Testomony of Ann Lee” takes on a fable-like high quality, with the story narrated by Ann’s closest confidant, Mary Partington, performed with light grace by Thomasin McKenzie. Steadily, when Mary is about to fill in some particulars about Ann’s life, she begins with the caveat, “There are some who say…” Did any of this occur the way in which it occurs right here? Properly, some individuals say it did, and that is all we have to know.
See The Testomony of Ann Lee on the massive display screen
After dealing with persecution in England, Ann and her followers (together with her devoted brother, performed by Lewis Pullman) head to the brand new world, the place (by way of doable divine intervention) they discover a patch of land close to Albany and start constructing a group, attracting each new followers and doubters. The journey to America serves as one of the vital beautiful set items of the movie, because the tough sea voyage turns into a take a look at of religion, with the Shakers gaining the respect of the tough crew by way of their perception. Via trials and tribulation, Ann Lee’s religion by no means wavers, at the same time as some near her — like her husband — start to develop weary.
The actors all carry out their very own singing, which solely heightens the expertise. Seyfried, who has sung in a number of movies already, has a ravishing voice, whereas others are a bit extra tough and clumsy. Pullman’s singing voice, as an illustration, is barely off-key, and but that solely enhances his character as he spreads the message his sister needs to convey to the world. The musical numbers are all jaw-dropping of their uniqueness, as cinematographer William Rexer glides the digicam by way of crowded rooms and huge open areas, all whereas the actors fold themselves over each other, twisting about as if their actions are being guided by a divine hand.
Each facet of the movie is pitch-perfect, but it surely’s Seyfried’s efficiency that retains every thing flowing. Seyfried works laborious to make Ann Lee appear real, flawed even, — achingly human all whereas striving to transcend into one thing inhuman on the similar time. “The Testomony of Ann Lee” is not making an attempt to persuade us that Ann Lee actually was the Second Coming of Christ, however fairly displaying us how so many individuals might need believed that she was. The movie is not within the establishment of organized faith as a lot as it’s the idea of pure, unflinching religion. It’s one way or the other secular and religious suddenly. What a marvel, what a pleasure it’s to see a movie like this. It’s totally existence appears like a type of miracle.
/Movie Ranking: 10 out of 10
“The Testomony of Ann Lee” opens in theaters on December 25, 2025.
