Amazing Grace Parent Guide

Composed entirely of previously unreleased documentary footage, Amazing Grace relives the recording and performance of Aretha Franklin’s live album of the same name. The archival footage and audio present to the audience a surprisingly immersive experience, taking them directly to the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles, in 1972.

One of the important things to note here is that this is not a biopic or dramatization. All footage is presented as is, with no narration, commentary, or alteration. As such, this is essentially 40-year-old footage of a live concert. Don’t go in expecting a Bohemian Rhapsody-like dramatic epic, because that’s not what Amazing Grace is trying to be.

That said, there is a lot of value in what the film presents. Production and filming aside, the music is amazing and beautiful, and enhanced by the joyous audience response and participation. Aretha Franklin, being Aretha Franklin, sings the house down. The Southern California Community Choir, led by Alexander Hamilton (no, not that Alexander Hamilton) and Reverend James Cleveland also do an incredible job.

On the other hand, the film can be a little dry, especially for kids. Since this hasn’t been dramatized at all, you kind of have to look at it like a concert. While the footage is interesting to me as a history geek, I don’t imagine that’s a sentiment shared by most kids. Otherwise, there’s absolutely nothing for parents to be concerned about. Taking place over the course of two days entirely in a church, with the entirety of the movie being filled with religious music, there’s not much for anyone to object to.

For fans of Aretha Franklin, or gospel music in general, Amazing Grace is a must-see film. For younger or less patient audiences, this might be a good time to slip off and see something a little faster and more dramatic. But if you can get past the admittedly dry premise, the music makes the whole thing shine.