Francis Lee and Stéphane Fontaine have created a lovely film that portrays the difficult life of 19th-century English paleontologist Mary Anning (Kate Winslet), who frequently searches the shoreline for shells and fossils, which she then repairs and sells in a small shop with her sick mother (Gemma Jones). The appearance of Roderick Murchison (James McArdle) and his wife Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan) disrupts her monotonous existence; he initially hires her to teach him how to find ammonites but subsequently leaves his unwell wife in her care while she recovers from an illness that isn't fully explained. The narrative centers on the connection between these two women, and how it grows stronger, showcasing compelling performances from both main actors as they navigate their complex relationship. Along with Lee, they convey a sense of yearning in a restrained—though not cold—manner. However, the film suffers from a serious lack of momentum and development. It doesn’t need to be overtly sexual, but the dialogue is so limited that it feels almost stingy. The reasons for their connection aren't always clear; at times, it seems abrupt and terse, and a maternal element appears to diminish the intensity of their romantic potential. Fiona Shaw and Gemma Jones offer some poignant moments—Jones essentially revisiting her role from "God’s Own Country" (2017)—and there is a direct criticism of the male-dominated scientific world that tried to dismiss or overlook Anning's obvious abilities, but as a film intended for theatrical release, it simply lacks substance. The experience left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled and forced to make too many assumptions.

Source on TMDB