Atonement – a review
December 18th 2007 03:32
My husband and I saw Atonement while we were in London on our holiday. I was surprised that it was already being shown there back in August especially when I learned that its release date here in Australia is Boxing Day.
I thought I would begin with a definition of atonement: reparation for a wrong or injury, an attempt to make amends. The film’s tagline is: You can only imagine the truth.
Set in an unusually searing English summer in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) watches from her bedroom window as her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightly) strips off her clothes and frolics in their garden fountain in their country house. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), their housekeeper's son and childhood friend is captivated by Cecilia and also observes her. Robbie is attracted to Cecilia and he yearns for her to reciprocate his feelings.
They begin a relationship, falling strongly in love. Briony, who has a crush on Robbie - becomes compelled to interfere, and accuses Robbie of a grave crime he did not commit. Briony does not discontinue with her lie despite there being opportunities for her to halt the proceedings. This deed has devastating effects for both Cecelia and Robbie. Three adults’ lives are radically altered. As a result of Briony’s false witness, Robbie is sent away with the choice of staying in prison or the army. He chooses the harsh army life. He vows to come back for Cecilia.
Later, as World War II rages, Briony tries to repair her earlier hasty, serious mistake. She soon realises some actions can be irreversible especially as this particular deed effected two people’s lives over decades. She persists with trying to make reparations for her action. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.
The film is mostly seen from Briony’s perspective revealed as an aspiring writer with a heavy air of priggishness and condescension. Cosseted by her family, her life experience isn’t vast, but her lack of self-awareness, as she teeters on the brink of adolescence, makes her shockingly dangerous. Saoirse Ronan’s performance is sensational. As a viewer, her passion, guilt, and horror flared through the screen almost becoming our own.
There’s a cautious contrast between the gilded youth of Cecilia and friends, literally glowing in Seamus McGarvey’s burnished cinematography, Robbie’s earthier colours and Briony’s cold little face, pinched with self-importance, forms the foundation of an impending conflict. The tone sets this film apart from other more traditional, dusty war dramas. The characters are younger with depth that galvanizes viewer involvement. The other older actors play an almost-cameo, peripheral role. They include Brenda Blethyn (Secrets and Lies), Gina McKee (Notting Hill and Naked) and Vanessa Redgrave (Evening and Mrs Delloway). There is an atmosphere heighten by a lilting score and near-faultless performances, its cinematography and sound design often conveying far more than its dialogue does. As I often feel in films, silence can say more than music or verbosity.
I haven’t read the book, but from what I have learned from reading reviews is that the basic consensus is that the film is a remarkably close and authentic adaptation of the book.
While the film is complex, delicate and devastating with gorgeous, opulent cinematography, I wasn’t wholly absorbed in it. It didn’t quite feel as powerful or cohesive as it seemed it ought to be, with a curious lacking in affect. It is difficult to determine my reaction; I suspect my hesitation may also have something to do with the fact that I don’t really enjoy seeing Keira Knightly on screen. I find her stilted and untouchable; therefore I often remain at a distance from her in films. Another reason for my response is that I usually find it hard to stay absorbed in period films; my attention tends to wane even though I can appreciate their beauty and message.
The film’s uses an excessive amount of flashbacks that don’t seem to really add anything to the story, often occurring so randomly that created some confusion as to whether we were watching a flashback or the current story. These scenes were jolting and off-putting.
Despite a few areas of disjointedness, Atonement contains many powerful moments, especially as the scope of Briony’s mistake becomes clear (ultimately, it’s really her story). The anecdote is vivid, raw and at times transfixing. Atonement is the story of a single, tragic misdemeanour: an error on the part of someone who is almost, but not quite, too young to know what she is doing could have irreparable consequences.
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Comment by Michaelie
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Michaelie
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by What's Your Story?
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And I'll check out Atonement when it comes out. I had no plans of seeing it, but your writing got me intrigued!
Comment by tlcorbin
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That is a massive compliment, thank-you.
If you see it, feel free to come back and tell me what you think,
Trace
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think you would like it, it’s definitely an atmospheric, dramatic film. I saw the trailer at the cinema last night and it reinforced that feeling for me.
Yes, James McAvoy has been busy lately, how does he do it?
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Sometimes I find flashbacks work, when they show/tell a part of the story that we wouldn't know otherwise. But it didn't seem to work so well in this film. But of course, it's subjective, others may think it works well.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
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Yeppie, there is no gratuitous violence at all in this film.
It’s dramatic and atmospheric. You may like it more than you expect....and I won’t tell anyone if you do...
Byee
Comment by Cibbuano
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Flashbacks are a good way to insert a scene for effect, especially for comedy, but I find it's kind of a sloppy storytelling effect.
Comment by Tracy
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OK, at the moment, I'm stumped...I can't think of an example....hmmm. I blame it on the fact that I have to go to the post office again...
I will be thinking while I'm in the queue, which is likely to be huge...
Anyway, that's enough of my moaning, speak to you later,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
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I think I need sleep...
and Cib, I couldn’t think of any films, maybe I was being overly generous in my opinion...ah well....
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Comment by Tracy
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Yes, I think it would be a good one. Hope you enjoy it,
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
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Firstly, as always, I enjoyed reading your review.
Secondly, because I am closet romantic, schhh... who can relate to this plot (being torn from a loved one through jealousy)... wow, I wouldn't miss this one for the world - and on the big screen too - woo hoo, a real treat for Lilla.
I adored the Pride and Prejudice Franchise; including (and probably most of all) Bride and Prejudice... but not the one with Keira in it. Funnily enough, like you, I am not a big Knightley fan (especially since she became anorexic) ...and have to agree with your appraisal of her... still this story and cinematography - not to mention a period piece - be still my beating heart - having her in it, won't deter me one wit.
I'm secretly hoping her performance is better than in Pride and Prejudice, though ?
Will pop in and catch it over Christmas holiday's hopefully, thanks for the preview.
Lilla ...
Comment by Miswanderlust
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Thanks so much for the review. I really wanted to see it. (Love James McAvoy.... Keira Knightly not so much).
Mis
Comment by Tracy
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Thank-you (yet again) for your lovely compliments.
Have you had a chance to see it yet? I doubt if there’s any big rush, I would say that it would be on for a while.
I didn’t see the Pride and Prejudice version with Keira Knightly in it, so I can’t give you a comparative thought I’m afraid. Yes, the fact that Keira looks so emaciated also adds to my feeling of discomfort and distance. I find it hard to look at her if she’s wearing something that really highlights her body.
I hope you enjoy it and it fulfils your romance fix,Lilla
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
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Good to see you as always. Glad you liked the review. I also like James McAvoy....mmm.
Aha, so I'm not alone with my Keira Knightly misgivings, I thought it was just me.
Byee
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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I was thinking of seeing the film again, but decided to read the book first and see what McEwan fans are raving about. So far, so good.
Hope you're having a good day
Comment by Tracy
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Thanks for popping in. I had mixed feelings towards the film, both during and afterwards. It just wasn't cohesive enough for me and as I said in my review, I find Keira extremely hard to watch. I agree that the cinematography is good and Briony (Saoirse Ronan) is superb.
I wonder what the book is like...
Good to see you,
Tracy
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
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hugs, Tammy
Comment by Tracy
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It's good to see you. Unfortunately, Keira drives me batty so I didn't enjoy this film much. Feel free to pop back after you've seen it to tell me what you think.
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
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...am still having technical difficulties : dropping in and out of the internet like a yoyo on heat... no joke its hopeless really, and the worm blew away most of our systems which hubby is rebuilding. It even wiped half my laptop jeyboard. The rest of the nightmare can be left to the boys at telstra, who only know how to exaccerbate the problem when you switch ISP users and don;t include them... needless to say our rather perfect ADSL1 line suddenly became so unstable as to not be able to support the superior ADSL 2... I ended up at the local federal members office and on and on it goes...
I wonlt talk long incase i *drop off* again... *grrrrrr*
I just wanted to let you know that I finally saw this film and totally disagree with *the ever sophistaced Cibby,* in that I loved the flashback plot used to relay this terribly misaligned love tale. I haven;t been this saddened by a love story since I read/saw Tess of the Dubervilles....
I think Cibby just doesnt l;ike Keira Knightly is all *chuckle* (just razzing ya Cibb)...classic flashback plots include Swordfish and Pulp Fiction, Paycheck and Undermined.. perhaps the best of all; Sliding Doors?
But I am an advocate of flashbacks telling the story if they are used creatively and not in the one current/ one flashback format. This film did not seem that way to me, it had a backbeat ratio of flashbacks that was not strictly 2/4 in tempo, to me?
As for the film itself, so many epic morals so well presented here, I loved it and couldn;t help but put the romantic imagination into gear for how wonderful their next life would be together, when they caught up again.
Loved it, certainly a movie of distinction that will stand out in years to come?
Lilla ....
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Oh my gosh, your technical difficulties sound like a nightmare. How is it going?
It’s great to hear your opinion about the film. I was left feeling lacklustre about some parts and then in others I was immersed, particularly when watching Briony’s anguish over what she did.
Unfortunately, I really can’t endure KK, she drives me nuts. I don't find her convincing so it keeps me separate from the film.
It certainly is a tale of misdemeanours and the ripple affect they can have on multiple lives.
Thanks for popping in, Lilla. It's good to see you.
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
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This is perhaps the greatest truth of all where Kk is concerned ... and, when Im not being peverse, I do agree with Cibby 100%, I don't like her mouth either, she does look guppy-ish indeed! *chuckle*
Still I did enjoy this film and perhaps she could also have applied to your post on someone who should have left their clothes on? But then I have never liked the anorexic look, personally.
Cheers
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
So I'm not alone in my dislike for KK? He he. I actually toned down my usual dscription of her in case it was too harsh in writing. Mine usually involves a reference to her toothy face...
Yes, I think you're right, she could've been added to that other post...
Thanks for the giggle and vent,
Tracy