ATONEMENT (Joe Wright, 2007)
Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Ramola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave
When I tell people to view this film, the first point I am urgent to stress is that it is not a romance. There is a stigma that has been attached over the years to the genre of 'romance' which causes people to think of 'chick flicks.' It's quite unfortunate really, as it causes people to close the door on films which are quite wonderful. However, I'm straying from my topic. All I'll say is that, romantic elements aside, Joe Wright's Atonement is not a romance.
On a hot summer day in 1935, the Tallis family is busy preparing for the return home of its eldest son Leon. Most excited for his return are his two sisters Cecilia (Knightley) and Briony (Ronan), as well as their three young cousins who are visiting for the summer. Briony is 13, with apsirations to become a famous author. She has written a play to be performed for her brother's return. Meanwhile, Cecilia is currently in denial over the romantic feelings she has for the family's gardener Robbie (McAvoy). At one point, Cecilia and Robbie have a flirtatious argument which is viewed by Briony from an upstairs window. Briony is confused as to why Robbie is yelling at her sister, and worries that he poses a threat to Cecilia's well being. Robbie returns home and composes a sexually charged letter to Cecilia, revealing his true feelings. He gives the letter to Briony to pass along, but her concern for her sister's safety leads her to read the letter and is shocked with its crude content. When Briony later walks in on Cecilia and Robbie in a moment of intimacy, she becomes convinced that Robbie is trying to injure Cecilia. During a tense family dinner, it is announced that two of the cousins have gone missing. The family searches the grounds to find them, and Briony comes across her cousin being raped. The man runs away, and Briony becomes firmly convinced that the man was Robbie, regardless of what she saw. She lies to the police, and causes Robbie's wrongful arrest. The rest of the film documents the aftermath of Briony's lie, spanning sixty years.
I will admit that it sounds complex and not necessarily interesting. These are both misconceptions. The film moves swiftly (the above synopsis covers 40 minutes of the film's two plus hours) and carefully develops its characters in a way that we quickly become attached to them. This is largely due to how the characters are portrayed. Knightley, McAvoy, and Ronan are perfection as their characters. The first act of this film is the most important, as it sets the stage for the remaining two thirds. The second part of the film follows Briony (now played by Ramola Garai) at 18, and then ends with Briony as an elderly woman (played by Vanessa Redgrave). Ronan's portrayal of Briony in the first act is crucial in identifying with Briony as she ages. Because we identified so much with Briony at 13, we stay attached as she ages and the main theme of the movie is built around Briony. Even when Briony isn't on screen (which she frequently isn't) we feel she is present, as what we ultimately end up seeing is only happening as a result of the lie she told.
The overall emotional impact of this film is astonishing. There are certainly romantic elements at play. Briony's lie separates young lovers Cecilia and Robbie for years. Robbie ultimately ends up in France, doing service in World War II. Cecilia abandons a degree at Cambridge to become a nurse. The two are reunited briefly and its clear that their romantic spark has not faded over time. Their love is sustained through correspondence, passionate letters sent to reaffirm their undying affection for each other. Most importantly is the Briony has also become a nurse, abandoning her dreams of becoming a writer. Watching Briony come to terms with her guilt as she tries to reconnect with Cecilia and Robbie is truly heartbreaking.
The story this films tells is so powerful and Joe Wright knows exactly how to handle the material. His camera shots are sweeping and graceful, and there is an 8 minute sequence shot on the beach at Dunkirk that deserves the highest praise. The score is also gorgeous. Dario Marianelli has composed a score that is playful, mysterious, and sweepingly romantic. The film also boasts an unpredictable conclusion that packs a punch every time. This film really can't be missed. It's a flawless masterpiece.
Friday, June 15, 2012
ATONEMENT (Joe Wright, 2007)
Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Ramola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave
When I tell people to view this film, the first point I am urgent to stress is that it is not a romance. There is a stigma that has been attached over the years to the genre of 'romance' which causes people to think of 'chick flicks.' It's quite unfortunate really, as it causes people to close the door on films which are quite wonderful. However, I'm straying from my topic. All I'll say is that, romantic elements aside, Joe Wright's Atonement is not a romance.
On a hot summer day in 1935, the Tallis family is busy preparing for the return home of its eldest son Leon. Most excited for his return are his two sisters Cecilia (Knightley) and Briony (Ronan), as well as their three young cousins who are visiting for the summer. Briony is 13, with apsirations to become a famous author. She has written a play to be performed for her brother's return. Meanwhile, Cecilia is currently in denial over the romantic feelings she has for the family's gardener Robbie (McAvoy). At one point, Cecilia and Robbie have a flirtatious argument which is viewed by Briony from an upstairs window. Briony is confused as to why Robbie is yelling at her sister, and worries that he poses a threat to Cecilia's well being. Robbie returns home and composes a sexually charged letter to Cecilia, revealing his true feelings. He gives the letter to Briony to pass along, but her concern for her sister's safety leads her to read the letter and is shocked with its crude content. When Briony later walks in on Cecilia and Robbie in a moment of intimacy, she becomes convinced that Robbie is trying to injure Cecilia. During a tense family dinner, it is announced that two of the cousins have gone missing. The family searches the grounds to find them, and Briony comes across her cousin being raped. The man runs away, and Briony becomes firmly convinced that the man was Robbie, regardless of what she saw. She lies to the police, and causes Robbie's wrongful arrest. The rest of the film documents the aftermath of Briony's lie, spanning sixty years.
I will admit that it sounds complex and not necessarily interesting. These are both misconceptions. The film moves swiftly (the above synopsis covers 40 minutes of the film's two plus hours) and carefully develops its characters in a way that we quickly become attached to them. This is largely due to how the characters are portrayed. Knightley, McAvoy, and Ronan are perfection as their characters. The first act of this film is the most important, as it sets the stage for the remaining two thirds. The second part of the film follows Briony (now played by Ramola Garai) at 18, and then ends with Briony as an elderly woman (played by Vanessa Redgrave). Ronan's portrayal of Briony in the first act is crucial in identifying with Briony as she ages. Because we identified so much with Briony at 13, we stay attached as she ages and the main theme of the movie is built around Briony. Even when Briony isn't on screen (which she frequently isn't) we feel she is present, as what we ultimately end up seeing is only happening as a result of the lie she told.
The overall emotional impact of this film is astonishing. There are certainly romantic elements at play. Briony's lie separates young lovers Cecilia and Robbie for years. Robbie ultimately ends up in France, doing service in World War II. Cecilia abandons a degree at Cambridge to become a nurse. The two are reunited briefly and its clear that their romantic spark has not faded over time. Their love is sustained through correspondence, passionate letters sent to reaffirm their undying affection for each other. Most importantly is the Briony has also become a nurse, abandoning her dreams of becoming a writer. Watching Briony come to terms with her guilt as she tries to reconnect with Cecilia and Robbie is truly heartbreaking.
The story this films tells is so powerful and Joe Wright knows exactly how to handle the material. His camera shots are sweeping and graceful, and there is an 8 minute sequence shot on the beach at Dunkirk that deserves the highest praise. The score is also gorgeous. Dario Marianelli has composed a score that is playful, mysterious, and sweepingly romantic. The film also boasts an unpredictable conclusion that packs a punch every time. This film really can't be missed. It's a flawless masterpiece.
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