Atonement-review
May 21st 2008 08:24
This was a phenomenal movie. I had not actually read; or indeed heard of the source novel before seeing the filmed adaptation (for shame. And I call myself well read!), so I had little idea about what I was about to witness. I only had a vague knowledge of the storyline, because of the media blitz which accompanied the film's arrival in theatres (not to mention the huge buzz it received at the awards season this year).
Without giving too much away, this is essentially a metafictional tale of sorts. It is about stories themselves, and how we misinterpret, exaggerate, and alter details of situations we witness. A young girl, Bryonie, living on a very pleasant and exquisite-looking English countryside estate in 1935; witnesses what she considers from her 13 year old perspective to be a sexual attack, or a rape, on her sister. In fact, the incident she witnesses is quite consentual. She reports the young man to the authorities, and her innocent mistake leads to the protagonist's (James McAvoy) downfall. He goes to jail for four years, and is paroled in 1940 on the condition that he join the war effort in France.
The accolades bestowed upon this movie were well-deserved (it picked up Baftas and Golden Globes, but astonishingly no Oscars, despite several nominations in key categories, including the highest honour of Best Picture). The performances from all involved were exceptional (the child playing 13 year old Bryonie, newcomer Saorsie Ronan, was incredible. I really believed in the kid's performance), the direction was fantastic (including a noteworthy, and quite impressive, five minute long continuous panning shot of the Dunkirke evacuation), and the soundtrack, composed by Italian Dario Marianelli, featuring piano solos performed by noted French virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet, was interesting and very atmospheric.
It is a complex movie, and very British at its core. There are no concessions to Hollywood (save for perhaps the casting of current golden girl Keira Knightley in the female lead), and it is not dumbed down in the slightest. It is quite depressing, though, I warn you. Don't go into it expecting a feel-good romantic comedy. It isn't that sort of a movie. Highly recommended to fans of period drama, romance, WW2, and strongly defined characters.
Without giving too much away, this is essentially a metafictional tale of sorts. It is about stories themselves, and how we misinterpret, exaggerate, and alter details of situations we witness. A young girl, Bryonie, living on a very pleasant and exquisite-looking English countryside estate in 1935; witnesses what she considers from her 13 year old perspective to be a sexual attack, or a rape, on her sister. In fact, the incident she witnesses is quite consentual. She reports the young man to the authorities, and her innocent mistake leads to the protagonist's (James McAvoy) downfall. He goes to jail for four years, and is paroled in 1940 on the condition that he join the war effort in France.
The accolades bestowed upon this movie were well-deserved (it picked up Baftas and Golden Globes, but astonishingly no Oscars, despite several nominations in key categories, including the highest honour of Best Picture). The performances from all involved were exceptional (the child playing 13 year old Bryonie, newcomer Saorsie Ronan, was incredible. I really believed in the kid's performance), the direction was fantastic (including a noteworthy, and quite impressive, five minute long continuous panning shot of the Dunkirke evacuation), and the soundtrack, composed by Italian Dario Marianelli, featuring piano solos performed by noted French virtuoso Jean Yves Thibaudet, was interesting and very atmospheric.
It is a complex movie, and very British at its core. There are no concessions to Hollywood (save for perhaps the casting of current golden girl Keira Knightley in the female lead), and it is not dumbed down in the slightest. It is quite depressing, though, I warn you. Don't go into it expecting a feel-good romantic comedy. It isn't that sort of a movie. Highly recommended to fans of period drama, romance, WW2, and strongly defined characters.
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Comment by The Travelling Fairy Dancer
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