One to see: Atonement (2007)
June 17th 2008 01:44
As one of the ten people who didn't see this film at the movies - heck, even my parents saw it - I rented the DVD last weekend and absolutely loved it.
Based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, Atonement begins on a summer's day in 1935 in the English countryside home of the wealthy Tallis family. Briony, a precocious young writer (beautifully played by Saoirse Ronan) has finished writing her first play, and insists on having it performed by her young cousins who are staying with the family. Meanwhile, her older sister Cecelia (Keira Knightley) is playing femme fatale outside, swimming in the fountain in her underwear in front of the housekeeper's son, Robbie (James McEvoy). We discover that Robbie had always held a torch for Cecelia, and mistakenly lets her know the full force of his passion by delivering a letter she was never meant to read. She responds favourably, however, and the two share a passionate moment in the library before their lives are suddenly altered forever.
Through a series of misconceptions, Robbie is blamed for a crime he did not commit, with Briony as the key witness. He goes to prison and is separated from Cecelia, and is later forced to go to war.
Four years later, the two estranged sisters are training as nurses in London, caring for the injured soldiers as they return home from France. Robbie is still at war, and one of the most incredible pieces of cinematography takes place as he is on the beach at Dunkirk - five minutes of camera tracking with no edits, showing the full extent of the effect of the war on the men who fought it. Dark, with distinctly haunting images, this part of the film is a stark contrast to the lavish surrounds of the film's beginning.
The story jumps back and forth between past and present, never giving away the ending which is really moving for the audience. The grown-up Briony visits her sister in London, realising her mistake in having Robbie put away, and is desperate to atone for her error. Sadly, she never really has the opportunity to do this, except in her writing, which we discover at the very end of the film.
Atonement is an extremely powerful adaptation, with strong performances from the whole cast and stunning cinematography. The Daily Mirror described it as being "As perfect as a movie can get." I don't know about that, but the film incorporates stories of love, loss, war and redemption - all themes that the audience can relate to - in a beautiful period drama. It's one to rent if you're looking for a romance with an edge.
Based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, Atonement begins on a summer's day in 1935 in the English countryside home of the wealthy Tallis family. Briony, a precocious young writer (beautifully played by Saoirse Ronan) has finished writing her first play, and insists on having it performed by her young cousins who are staying with the family. Meanwhile, her older sister Cecelia (Keira Knightley) is playing femme fatale outside, swimming in the fountain in her underwear in front of the housekeeper's son, Robbie (James McEvoy). We discover that Robbie had always held a torch for Cecelia, and mistakenly lets her know the full force of his passion by delivering a letter she was never meant to read. She responds favourably, however, and the two share a passionate moment in the library before their lives are suddenly altered forever.
Keira Knightley is brilliant as Cecelia
Through a series of misconceptions, Robbie is blamed for a crime he did not commit, with Briony as the key witness. He goes to prison and is separated from Cecelia, and is later forced to go to war.
Briony and Robbie
Four years later, the two estranged sisters are training as nurses in London, caring for the injured soldiers as they return home from France. Robbie is still at war, and one of the most incredible pieces of cinematography takes place as he is on the beach at Dunkirk - five minutes of camera tracking with no edits, showing the full extent of the effect of the war on the men who fought it. Dark, with distinctly haunting images, this part of the film is a stark contrast to the lavish surrounds of the film's beginning.
On the beach at Dunkirk
The story jumps back and forth between past and present, never giving away the ending which is really moving for the audience. The grown-up Briony visits her sister in London, realising her mistake in having Robbie put away, and is desperate to atone for her error. Sadly, she never really has the opportunity to do this, except in her writing, which we discover at the very end of the film.
The young lovers
Atonement is an extremely powerful adaptation, with strong performances from the whole cast and stunning cinematography. The Daily Mirror described it as being "As perfect as a movie can get." I don't know about that, but the film incorporates stories of love, loss, war and redemption - all themes that the audience can relate to - in a beautiful period drama. It's one to rent if you're looking for a romance with an edge.
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