Review 232: Atonement
Atonement is a wonderfully crafted, beautifully touching, heartbreaking adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel bolstered by three captivating performances from its leads.
Based on the novel Atonement by Ian McEwan, In 1935 England, romantic couple Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan). This accusation dramatically and profoundly alters the lives of these three people as they deal with the consequences.
The plot is the way story unravels and shows us Briony as well as Robbie and Cecilia's perspectives is masterfully achieved and imaginative. It forces us to think deeply about what betrayal and atonement might really entail: Briony's lie has seriously, tragic, life-changing ramifications for her, Robbie and Cecilia.
It's a film about storytelling, telling a lie is telling a story which is making something up which is what Author (and Briony in this case). It's also about the nature of telling stories and why we tell stories. The power of stories and the effect they can have on people.
Director Joe Wright's direction is superbly sensitive, giving the film in particular a single unbroken shot that follows Robbie around the beach at Dunkirk.
The cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty of 1930's and 40's England, the production design (recreating England in the 30's and 40's) is excellently elegant, the score by Dario Marianelli is wonderful and unique in the way it incorporates sound effects into the soundtrack. The costumes are brilliant, the scenery is breathtaking and the ending has a beautiful sense of
James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are mesmerising in this film. Despite their difference in social class, Robbie and Cecilia are infatuated with each other. The tragic romance between them is the emotional core of the film.
The cinematography is beautiful and captures the beauty of 1930's and 40's England, the production design (recreating England in the 30's and 40's) is excellently elegant, the score by Dario Marianelli is wonderful and unique in the way it incorporates sound effects into the soundtrack. The costumes are brilliant, the scenery is breathtaking and the ending has a beautiful sense of
James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are mesmerising in this film. Despite their difference in social class, Robbie and Cecilia are infatuated with each other. The tragic romance between them is the emotional core of the film.
Robbie is affected the hardest as Briony's lie results in him being sent to jail and latter being sent off to fight in the War
Saorise Ronan is easily this films MVP playing Briony Tallis at the age of 13. Briony is a girl with a very powerful and creative literary imagination. She loves to write stories. Her curiosity and observation leads her to making a very terrible mistake which blights her, Robbie and Cecilia's lives. In one moment, she allows her imagination to run away with her which causes her to convince herself and everybody else that Robbie is the perpetrator of a crime.
When Romola Garai takes the reigns playing Briony at the age of 18, you get the sense that she's now someone who's been humbled by her experiences working as a nurse and feels regret and remorse for her actions.
Saorise Ronan is easily this films MVP playing Briony Tallis at the age of 13. Briony is a girl with a very powerful and creative literary imagination. She loves to write stories. Her curiosity and observation leads her to making a very terrible mistake which blights her, Robbie and Cecilia's lives. In one moment, she allows her imagination to run away with her which causes her to convince herself and everybody else that Robbie is the perpetrator of a crime.
When Romola Garai takes the reigns playing Briony at the age of 18, you get the sense that she's now someone who's been humbled by her experiences working as a nurse and feels regret and remorse for her actions.
Finally, we have Vanessa Redgrave as the older Briony
5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
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