Atonement (2007)

I was wandering through the library shelves when I picked up Ian McEwan's Atonement. I didn't know what it was about, but I remember it was adapted into a movie with Keira Knightly and Saoirse Ronan that I had meant to watch for quite some time, so I read it. And I loved it which is why I was no longer sure I wanted to see Joe Wright's Atonement.

The story opens in 1935 when a 13-year-old aspiring writer and playwright, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), witnesses an act she doesn't fully understand, the long-time family servant, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), making love with her older sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Later on, she becomes the witness of a crime she doesn't understand but she thinks she does and falsely accuses Robbie because of what she had seen earlier. This accusation of hers tears apart the two lovers, maybe forever as Robbie is sent to serve the army in WWII. Five years later, a grown-up Briony (Romola Garai), aware of the damage she has caused, tries to make amends for it.

Adapting McEwan's novel was not easy, but screenwriter Christopher Hampton did a very good job, leaving out all the subplots that couldn't have been included in a two-hour film, focusing only on the important aspects of the story. Unfortunately, the storytelling is not as good as it could have been. While the first act is wonderful as it draws you in and keeps you on the edge of the seat to see what would happen — impressive considering I had just read the novel — the second and third act are unfortunately not as compelling. I did like how the ending was changed, not the ending of the story, but the way it is delivered to us with Briony giving an interview rather than speaking to the reader/viewer. 

Just like in the novel, none of the characters is particularly sympathetic as they all are pretty self-centered and melodramatic, and yet it's fascinating to watch them because they are complex and developed characters, even though their thoughts aren't as well-rounded and intimate as they are in the book. 

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Arguably Atonement's greatest strength is the acting. Keira Knightley is delightful in the role of Cecilia as she conveys her character's feeling within a single glance, James McAvoy is terrific in the role of Robbie as he delivers a strong performance filled with emotions and wonderfully conveys the innocence of young love as well as the brutalities of war. Also, Knightley and McAvoy have such great chemistry, not only it's obvious they would way for each other and that we want them to be together, but it feels like visual poetry. It's not often that two actors are able to make you feel such strong emotions only with a glance. Saoirse Ronan is quite extraordinary and steals her scene she is in as she conveys the naivety, frustrations and anger of 13-year-old Briony to perfection. Also notable is Vanessa Redgrave's performance in the role of old Briony as she effortlessly conveys many emotions through her expressions.

Also worthy of a mention are Seamus McGarvey's breathtaking cinematography, the superb set design, the costumes, and a terrific musical score by Dario Marianelli that infuses the film with beauty and sadness.

It's such a shame the second and third act are not very compelling and feel dragged because this had the potential to be a masterpiece.