Director Joe Wright's Atonement
Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan,
Oscar nominated romantic war drama is gorgeous to look at and heartbreaking in its story.
Atonement is director Joe Wright's second film starring Keira Knightley, though this film is a more successful venture (even with a few failings) than the first (Pride and Prejudice). The three leads support each other well; Knightley is joined by James McAvoy (the tormented love interest) and Saoirse Ronan (the younger sister). Ronan received an Oscar nomination, and deservedly so, for a strong performance as the young girl who uses poor judgment.
The Set-Up
The film, based on the award-winning novel by revered writer Ian McEwan, revolves around youth, mistaken identity and social class prejudice. The key events take place on a hot summer day as Cecilia (Knightley) and the housekeeper's son Robbie (McAvoy) finally acknowledge their strong attraction to each other. Robbie makes several attempts to compose his feelings in a letter, and in his frustration, writes a highly inappropriate, very sexually direct letter to release his tension. Distracted by the heat and flustered, he wraps it up and passes it along to younger sister Briony (Ronan) for delivery, all the while thinking he had sent along a previous, polite love-letter. Far too late, Robbie realizes what he's done, Briony has already read it herself and things go rapidly downhill.
Bad Execution
Initally, the film has a very slow, deliberate pace. It is clearly trying to convey the heat and drone of a summer day. However, it's forced and does not match either the mood or the setting. Extreme close-ups of smoking and intense thoughtfulness get old rapidly. There is a clear pattern throughout the film of having a slow, steady build followed by crucial, simple events that turn lives upside down. The first time it's on a hot summer day, and then again as the film slows for the much-noted five minute tracking beach shot during the war. It's building for an end the audience may not see coming.
A Great, Painful Story
The story itself and its compelling events are a good enough reason to watch (the costumes aren't bad, either). Atonement is an interesting look at one bad reaction and the chain of events that follow. The reaction itself may be understandable, given the circumstances and the age of the girl responsible, but it won't change her torment for years to come. Briony's character has the most depth--she's shown at the age of 13 and then again (during the war) at 18. During the second half of the film she has given up college and helps as a nurse among the wounded soldiers. Not only is she dealing with harsh realities, but also the seriousness of her childhood mistake weighs on her each day. She handles both with surprising grace.
Moderate Success
Atonement is a very good-looking film with a heartbreaking story at its core. The execution is vaguely muddled; the setting and costumes are gorgeous to look at, but the editing and pace hold the film back. It's certainly a film worth watching, as the story is what moves the viewer's curiosity forward. Most audiences are aware of the story's events (the preview does little to mask any surprises), but the drama and conflict make for an excellent story, and despite the film's efforts to drag its feet, the audience will wait for the tragic end.
