Atonement (Widescreen Edition)

Overall a very good movie. I didn't give a full five count for a few reasons. At first I thought the director was a little indulgent in making the mansion too much of a character in the film. I got the point of wealth early on, but the theme may have been trodden down a bit with the endless walking through the hallways. Next, it's been a while since I was in Britain and I found myself turning on the English subtitles in order to understand the dialog. The actors, especially Keira Knightley who plays the older sister Cecelia, talked entirely too fast. I have been in the conversations of aristocrats while in England and their manner is slow and deliberate, not speedy. I guess we're to surmise her younger years and impetuousness precipitates her very rapid conversation. I literally timed one sentence that was two full lines long spouted in about half a second...quite irritating. So much so, I turned off the movie and watched at a later time when the house was quiet and I could put on my headphones to listen. Next, and no fault of the movie, the plot. Nothing rubs me wrong more than an unjustly convicted perpetrator. I have lost count of how many times I've watched movies and TV shows where we know the hero has been locked up for a crime he didn't do. And, finally, as in all British movies, the pace was a little tedious. Watching the special features tells me the director was conscious of this and cut a few scenes to keep the main story alive. So, I guess by British standards, it was fast.

Now the things I liked. Some excellent performances by Knightley (save for the rapid lips) and McAvoy. The intensity was real and not contrived. And I liked how the director kept the intensity and theme with the use of the typewriter sounds in synch with the music and movement of Briony. The cinematography was excellent, especially the 5-minute walk-through of the chaos on Dunkirk beach. This was real epic film making with very few special effects. The director used some 1000 local extras to make it happen. Finally, although I haven't read the book, I was led to believe that the screenplay was rewritten to follow the book as closely as possible. This materialized into several flashbacks which could have been confusing until it was nicely rapped up with Vanessa Redgrave as the 77-year old Briony explaining the meaning of the novel "she wrote."

This is not a feel good movie, so don't expect your typical chick flick happily ever after ending. DO expect to be drawn into the story through some convincing performances, a well written screenplay, and beautiful cinematography.

I started out thinking this was going to be another dumb war story.
To my surprise it turned to be one of the best movies I've seen in a while. A very good story about how you right the wrongs that you've done in your lifetime. This story takes place in England during World War II.
Asking if we really can right our wrongs is like asking, can you drive a vechile from New York to California on one tank of gas...NOT!!
But you will spend most of your life trying to ATONE for your wrongs!!
I rate this DVD a 10 from 1to10!!

What a phenomenal movie, with not a single weak performance or performer. Do yourself also a tremendous favor and buy the soundtrack too - absolutely haunting.

This is not a pop-corn flick. There are no special effects to rave about. Whether you read the book or not is immaterial, though it is best to have read the book and then see this wonderful movie adaptation. And if you are the type of person who enjoys a good story with superb acting, then this one is for you. One thing that can be said of the British is that their actors and actresses are well trained in their craft. They can act.

Rarely has such a film taken one in an emotional roller-coaster ride and with such grace and effortless beauty. Who cannot laugh at Robbie's saucy note!...or felt profound sadness in the unfolding Dunkirk evacuation scene, while at the same time being in sheer awe of the talent up on the screen. James McAvoy & Keira Knightley, Romola Garai and the others are both sublime in their parts.

Director Joe Wright ('Pride and Prejudice' ) and screenplay writer Christopher Hampton have accomplished another wonderful movie adaptation. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Score at the 80th Academy Awards, and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (Hampton), and Best Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan, playing Briony Tallis) of Ian McEwan's critically acclaimed labyrinthine novel of the same title. Atonement has generally been acclaimed as among the Top 10 Films of 2007 by numerous film critics association.

But looking back, I wasn't convinced that Briony fully understood just what she had done, even though she attempted to atone. She came out as arrogantly repentant....as if the surprise revelation at the end of the film when she was being interviewed, was another of her compelling reason for her craving, once more, to be in the limelight. To be honest, it would have been more appropriate if the film would have ended with Briony plainly stating, "What I have done was an outrageously horrible, stupid, and childish act. It destroyed people's lives and caused them heartache beyond what I could possibly understand. Now, I have to live with whatever is left in my brief, tortured existence. And that is a cross I alone will have to bear."

Here is a film with romance, humor, drama, a sweeping epic, poignant moments and tragedy set in a particularly period piece. The stunning Dunkirk sequence is already being hailed as an all time-classic scene, and rightly so. But for the most part, it was the impressive photography and lighting combined with the musical soundtrack, not to mention the story line that can take hold of an audience patient enough to pay attention. The reward is to witness, to understand and to feel an unfolding tragedy set in the evocative period of an already bygone era of the 1930's. (It was filmed throughout the summer of 2006 in Great Britain and France). And while it can be argued that in the end, despite her attempt, Briony failed to atone for her transgression, maybe the point in the story is that there is no real way to atone. It was too little and too late. What's done is done, and the realization that she had to accept responsibility in the playout of this magnificent tale of unrequited love... is the sole 'raison detre' of this beautifully poignant film.

5 out of 5

ATONEMENT

I always read the book before I watch the movie, but, for some reason, I could not get into the book. Maybe I didn't give the book enough of a chance. WOW, this movie was great!!!!!

Having jumped onto the band wagon a little late, I will not go into great detail regarding the plot of this film. The movie takes place in England before and during WWII. Upper-class Cecilia {Keira Knightley} and grounds-keeper Robbie {James McAvoy} -- who is always GREAT -- have been attracted to each other forever. Finally, they cannot deny their atttraction and love for one another. Cecilia's younger sister, Briony, is always lurking around and is constantly stumbling upon situations involving Cecilia and Robbie. To me, Briony, is nothing but a BAD SEED and trouble. The young actress who played her, Saoirse Ronan, was GREAT.

Briony witnesses a crime and accuses Robbie. The write up on the movie box said Briony is confused and mistakenly accuses Robbie -- me? I think she knew EXACTLY what she was doing. Briony was an evil little brat. Her blank stares gave me the creeps. Ronan is a great little actress.

The movie is wonderful, the book is probably excellent and I think I will give it another shot. The movie flew by quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!!!

My only problem with this movie was I had a hard time understanding Keira Knightly. She seemed to speak too softly and quickly and I had to back up several times to catch what she had said.

Rent ATONEMENT, buy ATONEMENT, or read ATONEMENT. You should be prepared with popcorn, drink, and kleenex!

Thank you!
Pam