Atonement
Monday, 10 Sep 2007 14:02
James McAvoy outshines Keira Knightley in the Ian McEwan adaptation
Directed by Joe Wright, out September 7th in cinemas, starring James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan and Brenda Blethyn, running time 123 minutes .
In a nutshell…
Bloody, sexy, poignant, scenic, romantic.
What's it all about?
Atonement is the adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel about untruth with tragic consequence. Like much of McEwan's work the plot is exquisitely melancholic. From her bedroom window Briony (Saoirse Ronan) witnesses her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) undress and plunge into their garden fountain in front of the housekeeper's son, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy).
Other compromising situations follow to help shape the idea in Briony's head that Robbie is a sex maniac. This results in her telling a horrendous lie, incriminating an innocent man and changing the course of several lives, not least her own. Robbie is sent to prison only to be let out to fight in the second world war. Meanwhile Cecilia moves away from her family home and lives a poor life as a nurse; though still desperately in love with Robbie she promises to wait for him. Briony shuns her place at Cambridge University to also become a nurse; a decision Cecilia believes to be a form of self punishment in an attempt to annul what she did years before.
The film follows Robbie and Cecilia through their wounded lives and, were it not for the book, their being together in the end might almost seem a possibility. There is one London scene, after the picturesque first half of the film, in which they meet and vow to one day live happily together, but it is not to be. At least in reality. Briony, in writing a novel about the tragic events that she assisted in making happen, creates an imaginary storyline allowing Robbie and Cecilia to be together. By writing this into her novel she hopes to give back what she took away so callously years before.
The film is a harrowing but worthwhile journey into the devastation of people's lives, damaged so severely by a single lie told by a little girl. Some of the best scenes are those at war when the gruesome truth is not unnecessarily illustrated to shock, but appropriately depicted as an essential and meaningful element of storyline. The film, juxtaposed by quintessentially English countryside and war-torn Dunkirk, is an ambitious and successful portrayal of love, tragedy and sheer injustice.
Who's in it?
Saoirse Ronan plays Briony Tallis, Cecilia's evil younger sister. This maliciously understated character is acted to perfection. Her silent glares are convincing enough to send shivers.
Keira Knightley is Cecilia Tallis, Briony's older sister. Knightley plays her beautiful, hard-done-to self quite convincingly. She manages not to dominate her scenes with overacted hard edges but instead plays her character down and is successful as a result.
James McAvoy excels as Robbie Turner, the housekeeper's son. His scenes are perfectly performed as to provoke emotion without losing the grit of a serious and reputable film. His character is likeable, believable and accurately adapted.
Vanessa Redgrave plays Briony Tallis in old age and, although brief, her part constitutes the success of the film's conclusion. She provides the immensely real platform on which the rest of the film stands strong.
As an example…
A despairing Cecilia to Robbie as he returns to war: "I will wait for you. Come to me."
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
A couple of nominations could potentially come out of this film. Not for Keira, but Ronan, McAvoy and Redgrave really do shine. Christopher Hampton’s script was also an excellent adaptation.
What the others say
"It is ambitious, terrifically acted, moving, and for the most part far transcends its status as a historical drama." – The Telegraph
"There's no denying the film's raw power." - BBC
So is it any good?
Atonement is created for the page but does exceedingly well as filmed for the big screen. The truly harrowing storyline grips its audience and leaves them bewildered but wanting more.
Previously named the 'unfilmable novel' Wright has directed the storyline with great care, allowing the viewer to watch some of the same scenes though the eyes of different characters, creating depth and meaning. His direction and near-simplicity in creating a comprehensive and insightful story from a relatively complex novel, which can be understood on screen and without losing much in translation, is a great accomplishment.
8/10
Jennifer Butler
Your comments
Both my friend and I were totally mesermerised by James McAvoy (and we both fell a little in love with him as well!). The film was beautiful, although very tragic, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Still not sure about Ms Knightley, although this one one of her better performances. James McAvoy deserves an Oscar for this performance!" - Lindsay Naylor
"I totally loved this film apart from the ending of course. I loved all characters in the film and yes, we fell in love with James McAvoy's character." - Ashlee Oxford 
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