If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or get my blog updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: James McAvoy, Kiera Knightly, Saoirse Ronan, Julia West, Juno Temple
Runtime: 130 mins
“Atonement” based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name is a stunning, beautiful but sad film of love and misunderstanding on the part of a 13yr old girl. At what age does someone know the difference and importance of a right and wrong and how it could change someone else’s life.
The story is set in the World War 2 era. Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), jealous of her sister Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) love affair with Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), accuses Robbie of being a sex maniac and raping her friend Lola (Juno Temple). Robbie is sent to prison and after 5 years, sent to serve the army in WWII. Grown up Briony (Romola Garai), living as a nurse, realises what a grave mistake she had committed and as part of atonement apologies to Robbie and sister Cecilia, but it is too late for Cecilia and Robbie to unite.
The movie is split into three parts and is mainly from Briony’s point of view. The ending of the film will leave you awestruck. There is a kind of soft flow to the movie, it isn’t too fast nor is it boringly slow.
I never did like “Pride and Prejudice”, but there are times during Atonement when the style and flourish of the film’s movement is elevated through its direction. Joe Wright’s work in the film is very intricate and along with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, paints them vastly and beautifully. An almost 6 minute one take long shot of the evacuation at Dunkirk deserves a special mention. The best parts of the movie were well supported by some breathtaking musical score by Dario Marianelli, which was close to perfect, especially the type writers strokes and that turning into music, in sync with the character’s tap of fingers or footsteps.
James McAvoy gives a strong emotion-filled performance of great depth. Keira Knightley effortless glides into her role as the high-class daughter and speaks each line with such elegance. Saoirse Ronan is truly one of the best child actresses of late as she acts with so much maturity and intensity.
As the film draws to a close, though the ending scenes were very touching, a part of me felt the film didn’t have what it takes to take me to that place. I still think this is a movie one should not miss though i wouldn’t put my money on it to win an oscar.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Subscribe in a reader here
January 20th, 2008 at 3:08 am
I saw the film and wrote a review on it as well, but I didn’t like it as much as you did.
I really felt the last two thirds of the movie were beautiful yes, but not near as great as the first third.
After the lie and arrest, the movie just goes on to show how it affected their lives and then there is the surprise ending.
I think this movie is being a bit overrated because it WAS so beautifully shot and directed, but the story itself was lacking. I looked at my watch a few times towards and end, as did my wife, and she’s a huge Pride and Prejudice fan, which I liked a lot better than this one.