The Testament of Ann Lee

Directed by Mona Fastvold, The Testament of Ann Lee follows Amanda Seyfried’s title figure as she launches the controversial Shakers movement in the 18th century. Filmmaker Fastvold, armed with her and Brady Corbet’s screenplay, delivers an audacious and predominantly engrossing drama (and musical!) that benefits from its atmospheric visuals and stirring central performance, and there’s little doubt, ultimately, that the picture’s proliferation of above-average attributes prove effective at allaying the narrative’s standard-biopic feel. And while the 137 minute running time admittedly does pave the way for a few palpably sluggish stretches, with this especially true of Lee and company’s initial arrival in America, The Testament of Ann Lee, which has been punctuated with memorable, electrifying sequences and digressions (eg Lee’s compound is attacked by angry townspeople), does, for the most part, come off as a thoroughly accomplished endeavor that is, more often than not, completely compelling and engaging.

***1/2 out of ****