Atonement: Reviewed
http://www.afterhours.ie/articles/67/1/Atonement-Reviewed/Page1.html
Shane Kenny
Areas of interest include film & technology. By Shane Kenny
Published on 02/7/2008
Based on the Ian McEwan novel of the same name, Atonement is a beautifully crafted work underpinned by superior direction, acting, score and cinematography. However it is somewhat let down by the story.
Period romance drama set in WW II England nominated for 7 Academy awards including Best Picture.
Based on the Ian McEwan novel of the same name, Atonement is a beautifully crafted work underpinned by superior direction, acting, score and cinematography. However it is somewhat let down by the story.
The tale unfolds in 1930s England just before the start of WW II. A set of events transpires on a long hot summer’s day in a country estate which alters irrevocably the lives of those people involved forever.
Briony (Ronan) the youngest of the Tallis sisters is an aspiring writer with much dedication, gusto and a maturity that surpasses her young age. Cecilia (Knightley) is the older, beautiful and urbane sister.
Robbie (McAvoy), the housekeeper’s son, becomes the focus of both sisters’ affections, from a distance, in order to pass the long summer days. Although raised as if one of the family, he is several steps away from the sisters social standing and struggles to confront Cecilia with his feelings for her.
Circumstances come to a head when Briony opportunistically accuses Robbie of statutory rape of cousin Lola (Temple) when he doesn’t reciprocate her inappropriate and misjudged advances. Unfortunate timing for Robbie as the awkward sexual tension with Cecilia is broken earlier in the same day when they both discover their mutual feelings of love for each other.
Robbie then faces a choice between prison and the army, and is drafted into WW II France.
Five years on, we learn both the Tallis sisters have become nurses for different reasons; Briony is guild ridden and in search of some kind of redemption while Cecilia more nobly wishes to support the war effort.
McAvoy and Knightley play the part of lovers admirably but I would like to think this is to the credit of the direction.
Ronan steals the show with a highly commendable performance for such a young actress in what is a challenging role. In her portrayal of Briony, she masters the upper class southern English accent and outshines Garai who plays the same character later in the film.
The atmosphere of the period is captured masterfully through the dialogue, costume, detailed set design and cinematography. However the story somewhat falls apart from the middle on and has a slightly unexpected end which jerks you out of that period atmosphere.
Director: Joe Wright
Stars: James McAvoy, Keira Knightly, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan
Running Time: 118 mins
Details: UK (15)
The tale unfolds in 1930s England just before the start of WW II. A set of events transpires on a long hot summer’s day in a country estate which alters irrevocably the lives of those people involved forever.
Briony (Ronan) the youngest of the Tallis sisters is an aspiring writer with much dedication, gusto and a maturity that surpasses her young age. Cecilia (Knightley) is the older, beautiful and urbane sister.
Robbie (McAvoy), the housekeeper’s son, becomes the focus of both sisters’ affections, from a distance, in order to pass the long summer days. Although raised as if one of the family, he is several steps away from the sisters social standing and struggles to confront Cecilia with his feelings for her.
Circumstances come to a head when Briony opportunistically accuses Robbie of statutory rape of cousin Lola (Temple) when he doesn’t reciprocate her inappropriate and misjudged advances. Unfortunate timing for Robbie as the awkward sexual tension with Cecilia is broken earlier in the same day when they both discover their mutual feelings of love for each other.
Robbie then faces a choice between prison and the army, and is drafted into WW II France.
Five years on, we learn both the Tallis sisters have become nurses for different reasons; Briony is guild ridden and in search of some kind of redemption while Cecilia more nobly wishes to support the war effort.
McAvoy and Knightley play the part of lovers admirably but I would like to think this is to the credit of the direction.
Ronan steals the show with a highly commendable performance for such a young actress in what is a challenging role. In her portrayal of Briony, she masters the upper class southern English accent and outshines Garai who plays the same character later in the film.
The atmosphere of the period is captured masterfully through the dialogue, costume, detailed set design and cinematography. However the story somewhat falls apart from the middle on and has a slightly unexpected end which jerks you out of that period atmosphere.
Director: Joe Wright
Stars: James McAvoy, Keira Knightly, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan
Running Time: 118 mins
Details: UK (15)