atonement (2007)
by zEke
It looks like English director Joe Wright likes reading. He has thoroughly read, at least, two novels, Jane Austen’s pride and prejudice (1813) and Ian McEwan’s atonement (2001), and I bet the list is long. He has had to in order to turn them into feature films the way he has. The former qualified as a more than a decent debut, while the latter confirms that he might be on the right track even though he is somehow just at the beginning of his career.
I have not read McEwan’s novel but I have read Austen’s one. Nevertheless I will not say much about it. I am probably repeating myself, but what is the point of comparing a feature film with the novel it might be based on? I have not heard those kind of comparisons when a novel based on a movie is published. Yes, there are many of those as well. Novels do get the credit they deserve but comparing them with the actual outcome is a waste of time. In any case, I know Wright’s perception of McEwan’s novel, and that might bring me towards it, so I can direct my very own movie in my head. For those who do not like to read, atonement is a notable production, no matter where it comes from.
Thirteen years Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) witnesses her cousin being raped in the dark in the surroundings of her family’s English mansion. Having misinterpreted the passion between her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and the housekeeper’s son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) she points at him as the perpetrator of the rape. He is sent to prison, which breaks her sister’s heart.
Knightley, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in pride & prejudice (2004), repeats with Wright, and shows again the potential she hided in domino (2005). Nevertheless, the young Ronan manages to steal the movie from the protagonist couple, specially when handling silences. On the other side, English actor McAvoy continues building an interesting career.
Wright approach to the story is more mature that I would have expected for a second cinematographic attempt. The way he toys with Briony’s and Cecilia’s different points of view of the events that untie the drama is both simple and clever. The story relies on the strength of those, and while after that the intensity fades it is high enough on the origin to keep your attention until the end.
The magnificent Academy Award winning music composed by Dario Marianelli deserves a special mention. It is not only beautiful but perfectly suited to carry on a story of guilt and sorrow. Marianelli’s magic flows with the action to a point that at some points manages to somehow lead. Without the succession of images it is also worth listening to.
atonement will not be remembered forever but it is indeed sad enough to make you enjoy. What do I mean by that? You will have to figure it out yourself.
For the deadhours of those who write emails to apologize.
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I have read “Atonement” by Ian McEwan.I love this story.
also I had read the book by Ernest Hemingway was called “A Farewell to Arms”
that story was included “Love War Seperation”.I think Atonement is a little same as this story.
anyway I love this type story .also I saw the file ,Keira Knightley was excellent .
I propose to anybody have read this book watch the film ,too.
Dos partes claramente diferenciadas para una ola que dejé placenteramente que me arrastrara mar adentro.