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AtonementAtonement reunites Keira Knightley with her Pride & Prejudice director, Joe Wright, for the movie based on Ian McEwan's book of the same name. The result? Once of the most widely acclaimed pictures of 2007.
Atonement tells the story of Cecilia Tallis (Knightley), and the housekeeper's son, Robbie Turner (played by the increasingly prevalent James McAvoy). Set during the heat of 1935, their coming together and the ensuing drama brings in Cecilia's thirteen-year old sister, Briony, whose actions prove to have far-reaching repercussions. With a terrific cast and superb direction from the aforementioned Wright, it's utterly understandable as to how Atonement has earned itself such praise. Diligently told, with some superb photography, Wright is blessed by terrific central performances by Knightley and McAvoy, both of whom have never been better. His trick also is to get the pacing of the film bang-on, taking his time to build up and layer events before he looks for any kind of pay off. As a result, as Atonement heads into its latter stages, it proves itself as a top quality drama, with a real emotional punch. Furthermore, it's one of the increasingly rare breed of films that sticks in your head for days after. As a result, for once, it really is worth seeing what critics the world over have been raving about: Atonement really is something very special indeed. --Jon Foster |
Average User Rating: 60% (188 Reviews) | |
| 4 / 5 | A Very Good Adaptation
T. S. Waddington "Chimp" (Northampton) - 28 December 2007 Following the success of Pride and Prejudice, director Joe Wright brings to the screen a far more ambitious literary adaptation of the best selling and critically acclaimed novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement. The film follows the effects of a lie by a young, imaginative girl Briony, played impressively in her first major screen role by Saoirse Ronan, on her, her sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and the Housekeeper's son Robbie (James McAvoy). It begins in a large country house in an England approaching the brink of war. Here we see the beginning of a romance between Cecilia and Robbie. The first signs of this blossoming romance are witnessed by us and Briony from a distance and it is the beginning of a misunderstanding that leads to tragedy. Far from being a standard period drama as some, including myself, may expect prior to viewing, Atonement establishes itself as an excellent film that manages to stay loyal to the novel whilst still exploiting all its cinematic potential. Joe Wright demonstrates his skill in storytelling and brings his own artistic slant to the tale establishing himself as the highly skilled director his previous film only hinted at. The world we are immersed into is convincingly created, a country naively living before the most devastating war in history. The costumes are authentic as is the dialogue, exemplified when the boring names of English war foods are ridiculed. Keira Knightley gives one of her best performances to date as the beautiful posh girl with the tough exterior and James McAvoy follows on from his Last King of Scotland success with a solid, if slightly plain performance as Robbie the working class man living with the aristocracy. The chemistry between the two is appropriately understated as they attempt to hang on to their few precious moments together through long periods of separation. The atmosphere in the opening scenes is languid but there is an underlying sense of doom as the events unravel and Wright excels as a director as he manipulates the audience with clever narrative techniques. As the film continues his style becomes more standard, however the standout scene of the film is on the beaches of the Dunkirk retreat. It is brilliantly shot as we follow Robbie and his two companions in a swirling walk around the activity surrounding them. The hope and despair of the war sick men is portrayed perfectly in this scene, as a shocking moment where the horses are shot in the head due to the inability to transport them is contrasted by a group of singing men who demonstrate the power of the human will in the face of adversity. I found it refreshing to see a war film that didn't resort to a battle to provide its thrills and this scene is easily as spectacular and effective at showing the effects of war as the Omaha landings in Saving Private Ryan. Despite there not being any set-piece battle sequences, the horrors of war are still shown in a scene in the hospital where the horrendous injuries of the soldiers are uncomfortably forced upon the viewer. The ending is masterfully crafted and the twist is successful because it provides the audience with both of the possible endings, either of which on their own would not have been particularly satisfactory on their own. Vanessa Redgrave gives the standout performance as the old Briony as she recalls the life changing events. Also the idea of authorship is cunningly played with as the film questions the adequacy of its own ending. ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Perfect performances in a truly great movie
Lynda Tull - 30 November 2007 An outstanding film from the director of Pride and Prejudice, which perfectly captures the feel and tone of Ian McEwan's wonderful novel. The genteel claustrophobia of the first half of the story is perfectly portrayed, while the five minute, single-shot sequence of Dunkirk is one of the most outstanding sequences of modern cinema. Excellent performances from Keira Knightley (her best to date) and James McAvoy (surely to be Oscar nominated) give the film real emotional depth. Surely a film which will be enjoyed by all lovers of intelligent cinema. ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Best romantic film I've seen in ages - suitable even for action fans!
Comical Engineer "comicaleng" (UK) - 10 December 2007 I'm not a film buff, but I was able to see this at the cinema whilst on holiday with my wife. I'm also not a fan of weepies of any flavour, the new Bond is more my kind of film. I had no previous knowledge of the story, not having read the book, and I wouldn't have known Keira Knightley had I tripped over her in the street. However... I spent the first 30 minutes wondering when the story would start, it's quite a slow build up. That said, wonderfully filmed, very atmospheric and not un-enjoyable to that point. From there on it got better and better. Briony is the kind of little sister that everyone must dread and some of the scenes were so well studied that they made me cringe in sympathy with the actors. The twist in the tail was worth the wait, and I'm not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Having seen the film I now feel the need to read the book! I would also like to watch the film again. I was told off at one point for tutting at a Lancaster flying overhead (in 1939 because the first one didn't fly until 1941 - my anorak is in the hall) but that's nit picking! Highly recommended for a night in with a bottle of wine watching the DVD! ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Superb!
Movie Mad (Glasgow, Scotland) - 1 December 2007 I saw this film in the cinema a few months ago and I was utterly stunned by its magnificence. The performances are of Oscar quality, especially Keira, who shines with golden stars. The direction, like everything within this film, is top-notch and the emotional impact of the film is astounding (nearly everybody left the cinema crying). I would advise this film to be seen by any lover of films! |
| 2 / 5 | All the ingredients but sadly lacking...
Moonchita "Anita" (UK) - 28 February 2008 This has all the ingredients for what should be a stunningly beautiful and moving film. The photography and score are equisite, the acting is excellent and the plot has everything- love, betrayal, loss, war, suffering and hope. Considering all this, I'm still wondering why this film had absolutely zero effect on me whatsoever! As another reviewer has mentioned, I did not have any empathy with the leading characters- celia and Robbie; and to be honest, wasn't really that bothered that by the end their tragic love story had a sad ending. I'm not sure why I didn't care as the acting was excellent but I think that the characters were lacking a "human" element that allows the audience to start to feel for them and identify with them. For starters, Keira Knightly's character came across as totally posh, arrogant, cold and aloof and not someone whom I would imagine would indulge in a passionate affair or have any warmth at all. The leading man, Robbie, I also felt was somewhat unemotional and even when they both say "I love you" to each other, frankly, I just didn't belieeve it- there was no chemistry there. Sorry to go against the grain but this just left me cold considering the rave reviews its had. As soon as I finished watching the film I had forgotten it which in my opinion is a sign of a poor film....... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£20.00
Release Date
4 February 2008
Price Range
£4.99 - £14.99