Atonement:
Based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name, Atonement tells the story of a British romance that spans several decades. 13 year old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) is a fledging writer who changes the course of a many other lives when she accuses her older sister Cecilia’s (Keira Knightly) lover, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) of a crime he didn’t commit.
I First heard about this movie through my mum because she was saying how good the book was, and after watching it with her it was true and it didn’t dissapoint me. For only a second feature film by director Joe Wright, the first being Pride and Prejudice, it is absoulutely astonishing. It was directed superbly on all accounts. From the amazing Dunkirk visuals, to several point of view shots you cant help but feel interwined in the story and with the characters.
There are many sensational tracking shots in this which i really liked. For instance in the Dunkirk scene, the camera follows Robbie’s every move, showing the devestation through his eyes, just amazing. Also the way, at the beginining how the film is shot in two perspectives, one being briony’s view of what she thinks is happening and the other being what is really happening. This way of filmmaking creates a dillema for the audience as you really dont know who to believe at that point.
The Dunkirk scene is an amazing piece of filmmaking and i will always remember it. Watching it in the cinema i was amazed by the beauty. The cinematography is sensational. It captures the mood of that time, so well that you can put yourself in there. I cant really describe the scene much more because it was just beyond words. Some other scenes to mention are; Cecilia and briony’s House and the surroundings and the wartime London are also sensational. Plus, there done in such a way you wouldn’t expect a 21st century film to make.
As for the acting, it was wonderful from everyone in the film. Keira Knightly does brilliantly as she usually does in my opinion, also James McAvoy became one of my new favourite actors in just 2 hours, for me i think they were both amazing but James McAvoy outshone her on many levels. I appreciated every character and how well the actors portrayed them. I don’t quite know how to explain but I’m sure you’ll know what I mean when you see it. MacAvoy’s performance was so exquisitely done that I almost cried for the first time in a cinema. I’m hopeful MacAvoy will gain his first nomination at the Academy awards. I hope he is in chance of winning one this year, I will jump for joy if he does as he deserves it more than anyone in this film. I must not forget the incredibly supporting cast, from young Saoirse Ronan who brilliantly played Briony aged 13 ,Romola Garai who played Briony aged 18 and the great Vanessa Redgrave(older Briony).
Overall i loved many things about this film, it is defenietly Oscar material, and i really hope it wins, i advise people to go see this film, and dont think just because you havnt read it to not see it, because i hadnt read it and i loved it.
