Atonement Review
Atonement
Directed by: Joe Wright
Written by: Ian McEwan (novel), Christopher Hampton (screenplay)
Starring: Keira Knightly, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan
Earlier this week Dayna and Elaine from work decided to go see Atonement and in a joking manner said, “Hey Greg, do you want to come see Atonement with us?” First of all, you never, ever invite me anywhere in a joking manner cause I’ll fucking show up. Yeah…I’m THAT guy. Second, you can’t invite a guy who is involved in a film-based website out to a movie and not expect him to go. So, after their fatal mistake and I agreed to go they still didn’t think I would show up. Idiots.
Before the film started I had dinner with Elaine and had a wonderful barbecue burger from Kelsey’s. Little did I know it would be a catalyst to the evening’s events. We get to the theatre and grab my free passes from Heather at Empire Studio 8 at the Pen Centre. (This is known as a cheap plug…although now that I think about it…I should get something from Kelsey’s) Two paragraphs into the review and I haven’t mentioned the film. You can’t find quality like this in your local newspaper.
Atonement is based on a novel by Ian McEwen and adapted for the screen by Christopher Hampton and takes place in England during the Second World War. It stars monkey-faced Keira Knightly as Cecilia, one of the wealthy Tallis daughters who is being courted by the mansion housekeeper’s son Robbie, played by James McAvoy. What neither of them realize is that Cecelia’s 13-year-old younger sister, Briony (pronounced Brine-y) also has a crush on Robbie and this little love triangle is the basis for the first act of the film.
A little back story on my friend Elaine, she is a massive Harry Potter fan. She wore an HP tank top to the screening of the fifth film and has read each of the books numerous times. Dorkus Malorkus. For those uneducated readers…Dorkus Malorkus is Latin for Dingus…which is actually Spanish for nerd. I’m sure I read that somewhere. Anyway, at the first sign of a British accent I leaned to Elaine and asked if this was a Harry Potter film we were at and if that wasn’t comical enough, towards the middle of the film there is a shot of a big white owl, which to me, looked a lot like Harry Potter’s owl Fuckface.
Shortly after that was the point during the film when that burger I had earlier told me that I was a dumb bastard for eating it. Over the next 2 hours, at every pivotal dramatic scene my stomach mumbled and grumbled so loud that it could be heard more than two seats away. Was I embarrassed? Hardly. Uncomfortable? A bit. Found it absolutely hysterical? God damn right.
Back to the film.
In what plays out like a classic episode of Three’s Company there are a few misunderstandings from Briony’s point of view that bring out some jealousy and combined with a sexual assault later that evening cause her to make a startling decision which greatly affects the relationship between Cecilia and Robbie.
Although I’ve never read an Ian McEwen novel I have heard that in almost all of his books a weapon changes the course of the story. In Atonement, it’s not exactly a weapon. It’s a word in a letter written by Robbie. After a few failed drafts of a simple apology letter to Cecelia, he types up a dirty one to clear his mind before finally completing the proper one. The dirty letter features a word that rhymes with bunt. The surprising part is the filmed scene where that word first appears. It’s a full screen close-up of the word being typed. The whole screen. Just those four letters. Every time that letter is referenced we cut back to that one shot again.
The second act is on the warfront as Robbie has joined the British army and both Cecelia and Briony have become nurses. There is a very cool scene on the beach of Dunkirk as English soldiers on retreat from France await boats to take them home. On a beach full of despair, bickering or wounded soldiers and dead horses is an abandoned ferris wheel. There’s just something ominous about putting an object that is more commonly known for being associated with an amusement park, laughing children and cotton candy in the background of the horrors or war.
Atonement is a fine acted and directed film, although I’m not sure it deserves all of the acclaim it is receiving. McAvoy does a tremendous job, but I’ve never been a fan of Keira Knightly. As far as Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan, who plays 13-year-old Briony goes…well…they always nominate a kid. Where is Anna Paquin these days? X-Men? — Greg
Comments (17)
Awesome. I can’t wait to see the film. Greg you are absolutely hysterical in writing.
Posted by Henrik on January 31st, 2008Greg, you are the true talent on film junk.
Posted by Cain on January 31st, 2008A review by Greg!?!? Good one!
Posted by joe on January 31st, 2008Have to agree, that style is unique!
Posted by Grammaton Cleric on January 31st, 20082 words Greg; great fucking review!
actually I have a few more words. None of them are “cunt”.
You called Kiera Knightly “monkey face” but you forgot to mention her bush. What animal would you compare that too (and don’t say the obvious, George W. Bush. That doesn’t count as an animal).
You forgot to mention which major national frachises you stopped off at on the way home. Surely there was a Deny’s or a Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles.
Posted by Rusty James on January 31st, 2008I have to ask though Greg, are you gay or straight? Because all your friends seem to be female (Except for the FilmJunk alumni of course… I guess). And also you love wrestling! I’m curious.
Posted by Henrik on January 31st, 2008i actually did a double take when reading who the reviewer was. Greg?? an amusing review nonetheless, and worthy of my first post. keep em coming Greg.
Posted by Rick on January 31st, 2008I know I’m definitely in the minority on this one, but I thought this movie was really, really terrible despite the fact that the acting was pretty good and the direction was moderately decent. I don’t think I’ve ever cared less about the fate of any movie’s characters, which is problematic since the film revolves around Briony’s horrendous mistake and its terrible consequences but since I didn’t care one iota about Robbie and Cecelia, I wasn’t terribly broken up about Briony’s actions. Maybe I’m just heartless.
Posted by Liz on January 31st, 2008I’m in the minority with you.
Posted by Croft on January 31st, 2008This movie deserves Juno’s backlash.
Posted by Croft on January 31st, 2008I love it; the review reads just like I picture you talking about it. Makes for a few laughs and nearly devastating coffee spilage. Thanks.
In all seriousness, happy to hear you liked it and I agree, though I loved the film, Knightley is not the reason for it.
As for Anna Paquin, she’s still acting though the ONE movie I want to see that she’s in was supposed to come out last year and is now scheduled for an Oct. 2008 release – Trick ‘r Treat. Looks fan-freakin’-tastic.
Posted by Marina on January 31st, 2008Thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated.
Rusty James: I’ve never seen a picture of Keira’s home so I have no idea what any of her bushes look like. Although…most bushes look like small trees so I’ll go with Douglas Fir. As far as national franchises go…I stopped at Tim Hortons for a coffee. I’ve never been to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles nor have I heard of it, but I do hope that such a place of wonderment actually exists.
Henrik: I’m nowhere near classy enough to be gay. Only girls for me. I guess I only mention the girls because all of the guys I went to high school with are married and have kids and have become quite boring. Girls are much more fun to hang around with.
Posted by Greg on January 31st, 2008I guess you keep getting older, and your employees stay the same age huh Greg? Whatever is you preference, I definitely enjoy the aesthetics of you constantly bringing up girlfriends and how they reacted to the stuff you report.
Posted by Henrik on January 31st, 2008Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles is definitely a real franchise and not just an imaginary conceit of Quentin Tarrantino. I think they’re all on the West Coast though.
Now where’s youre review of Meet The Spartans?
Posted by Rusty James on February 1st, 2008“and not just an imaginary conceit of Quentin Tarrantino”
when I think of Roscoes, I dont think Tarantino. I think of the underseen Tim Robbins/John Cusack classic “TAPEHEADS” and this little ditty from the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9dBiw7xfVU
Posted by Goon on February 1st, 2008Yeah, as far as I know its only in Southern Cali. Roscoe’s is pretty damn good. I work on the waffles before everything else. Getting a side of smothered potatoes w/ gravy is a must. Yummy.
Posted by Primal on February 1st, 2008I’ve seen and love TAPE HEADS. Don’t remember Rosco’s mentioned though. I should give it another look.
Posted by Rusty James on February 1st, 2008Leave a Reply