Is this the time of the year for successful book adaptations? It seems so. Atonement, adapted from Ian McEwan's book of the same name, translates superbly onto the screen although one is left with the feeling that some of this stuff is, well, old.
Of course, you're gonna have to take any criticisms with its storyline back to the book itself, which is probably twice as acclaimed as the movie. But this movie may have its mushy, sentimental moments (read: cliched) but also its staggering, hard hitting ones. The ending is especially heart wrenching and one must thank the screenplay for not descending into soppiness.
But ah, is it a great movie. Not the best of 2007, of course (that title may very well be held by No Country for Old Men) but it's up there. I must also give mention to the striking score by Dario Marianelli, which serves to intensify individual moments brilliantly.
The two leads, Knightley and McAvoy seem underused; Saoirse Ronan as the young Briony Tallis, is exceptional in her role. Still most of the actors, as they say, deliver the goods.
Storywise, it proceeds remarkably well, it numerous gripping moments. The chronological transitions seem rather abrupt (althought that's just me) and the older Briony seems rather out of place. But maybe that's because she's older. Oh yes, and there's that remarkable tracking shot at Dunkirk, like "something out of the Bible" as a character remarks. Brilliantly filmed at beautiful locations, which all the more contrasts to how bleak the outcome is and how, (ironically) despite the title of the movie, there is no real atonement that takes place; Only a dream of what could have been.
Of course, you're gonna have to take any criticisms with its storyline back to the book itself, which is probably twice as acclaimed as the movie. But this movie may have its mushy, sentimental moments (read: cliched) but also its staggering, hard hitting ones. The ending is especially heart wrenching and one must thank the screenplay for not descending into soppiness.
But ah, is it a great movie. Not the best of 2007, of course (that title may very well be held by No Country for Old Men) but it's up there. I must also give mention to the striking score by Dario Marianelli, which serves to intensify individual moments brilliantly.
The two leads, Knightley and McAvoy seem underused; Saoirse Ronan as the young Briony Tallis, is exceptional in her role. Still most of the actors, as they say, deliver the goods.
Storywise, it proceeds remarkably well, it numerous gripping moments. The chronological transitions seem rather abrupt (althought that's just me) and the older Briony seems rather out of place. But maybe that's because she's older. Oh yes, and there's that remarkable tracking shot at Dunkirk, like "something out of the Bible" as a character remarks. Brilliantly filmed at beautiful locations, which all the more contrasts to how bleak the outcome is and how, (ironically) despite the title of the movie, there is no real atonement that takes place; Only a dream of what could have been.
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