First off, yes, I had to look it up.
According to Dictionary.com:
Atonement
NOUN:
Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
This was one of those Oscar-worthy movies that I desperately wanted to see before the Oscars, and never got around to it. It has been sitting in my Netflix queue for the last month, and finally, I was in the mood to be transported to another world unto itself. And I wasn’t disappointed.
To preface, I had read the book. And just like the movie, I was somewhat bored with the first half of the book. But for those that don’t know the story, the lethargic and well-strewn picturesque scenes of the country house on the day that changed everyone’s lives may seem dull and slow, but it is well worth the 2 hour investment for the ending.
The films plays like a 3-act play, brilliantly directed, capturing breathtaking English country landscapes, and the gritty landscapes of the Battle at Dunkirk. The director, famous for his take on Pride and Prejudice, took a risk and a challenge with this film, and it paid off.
Now let’s talk about casting. Give that casting director a raise. Not only do we have a brilliant actress in the form of a 14 year old girl Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan, but we also have the every delightful English Rose Keira Knightley, and the too-bad-he’s-married-cause-he’s-brilliant James McAvoy. We also have the equally impressive (even if her scene was only 5 minutes) Vanessa Redgrave. This star-studded cast was brilliantly directed by Joe Wright, and what I liked most about the film was that it stayed true to the novel, written (sometimes too) exquisitely by Ian McEwan. The screenwriter, Christopher Hampton , even commented in the DVD extras that he was made to rewrite his first draft to reflect MORE of the book. And although I always enjoy the book more than the movie, this filmic adaptation was spot-on.
The directing was beautiful. I am a sucker for long film tracking shots (for all you non-film geeks out there, it is a scene where there are no cuts…very hard for the untrained actor). There were plenty of these…from sweeping camera movements in the lush gardens and beautiful country estate (give the location scout a raise too!), to one of the grittiest war beach scenes that rivals Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan’s famous long pan of the beach…this one scene took 4 takes for a 5 ½ minute tracking shot! That’s unheard of! But the execution was perfect. Look out for great juxtaposition of Briony (the main character) as she walks around the country estate as a child, and then again in the hospital ward when she is 18. And my all-time favorite scene is with no dialogue, just Briony walking down a hallway, with the lights choreographed with the music; it’s a visually-enticing dance of pure optic delight.
And speaking of music, fantastic orchestration. Beautiful, sweeping verses with a melancholy and suspenseful undertone that leaves you slightly unsettled in your seat. Also, since the film is based around a writer, the audible typewriter becomes a musical instrument in this orchestration, and it definitely makes you feel unsettled, but keeps you engaged. No wonder Dario Marianelli won the Oscar. At least they got THAT right…
I love all unrequited love stories, but I especially love this one…it tugs at this bitter romantic’s heartstrings…and yet, it is a haunting tale that never really leaves your subconscious. Beware: The story will haunt you forever…but in a good way.
And there is nothing quite like reading the book and seeing it not be “Hollywood-ized” (chopped up into little bits and pieces) that truly satisfies this bibliophile. With that in mind, I hear WTTW has some Jane Austin on…
This movie is not for the typical weekend escapist looking to be lazily entertained…it takes a while for the story to sink in, and sometimes you don’t even know where it is going, or if it will ever end…and then, just like that, you’re thrown into a masterful ending leaving you with the thought…I want to watch that again! The dialogue (where there sometimes isn’t much) is eloquent and beautiful, although some scenes I found myself rewinding in order to understand the accent. This movie is powerful, but I wouldn’t say it’s “entertaining”. However, you will suddenly, for no reason at all, feel smarter than you did when you started the movie. Seriously. Don’t believe me, go watch the movie.
