Synopsis
13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner, the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister Cecilia. Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony–who has a crush on Robbie–is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested–and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever.
Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.
Based on the novel by Ian McEwan. Screenplay by Christopher Hampton. Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster. Directed by Joe Wright. A Focus Features Release.
Our views
Atonement is an epic love story filled with romance, betrayal, war, guilt and consequences that spanned 75 years, yet at the end of the film I felt discontent and cheated.
I was disappointed at the film failed to develop the supposed “love” between Robbie and Cecilia. This lack of premise made the remainder of the movie hollow for me.
I know that the gist of the film is that it’s Briony’s story, that she effectively destroys the life of Robbie and Cecilia with her false testimony and is thus forced to “atone” for her guilt. And that Cecilia and Robbie's relationship is secondary, which was viewed, most of the time, from Briony's perspective. But still, without substance of the “great romance”, I didn’t feel the emotional punch that I suppose to feel throughout the movie.
On the other hand, despite the film poor screenplay adaptation, it should be praised for the great cinematography and set design.
Chol
_________________________________________________________________To begin with, I watched it on a portable DVD player of which the screen was only 7.5 inches at about 11pm. So, it certainly didn't help uplift the already boring film. I even slept half way through and eventually succumb to my sleepy eyes. Only saw the second half the next day. I guess that pretty much sums up my opinion of the film. But of course I won't stop here.
My benchmark of tragic romantic love stories has and will always be The English Patient. This is far from it. I'm sure the novel is good but it was poorly adapted to the big screen. The writers failed to develop the characters. I couldn't connect with any of them. Frankly speaking, I was angry at all three leading characters. Angry at Briony for doing what she did, angry at Cecilia for not standing up for her Robbie and angry at Robbie for not standing up for himself. They might have but it was not properly shown. In telling stories like these, the audience should be taken on an emotional ride. The only emotion I felt was boredom. It was just utterly dissappointing.
Pami
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Joined by love. Separated by fear. Redeemed by Hope. That’s what’s written on the DVD cover. If it was up to me I’d go with Joined by lust, Separated by dumb ass sister, Redeemed by stupid sister’s “happily ever after” imagination.
Obviously, Atonement was definitely not my cuppa tea. The first 20 minutes was a torture. If it was not for the fact that I was “obliged” to contribute, I would’ve just done something more beneficial.. like sleep.
I didn’t like how the flash like scenes went between what Briony saw and what was actually happening. These people need to watch an episode or two of Lost to see how it should be done. Actors portraying Cecillia and Robbie both were doing what I’d like to call the “Hayden” formerly known as the “Keanu”. Then there were the stupid girls in the movie, Briony the dumb ass sister and Lola the flirtatious bitch. The fact that I was pissed by them shows that their acting actually had some impact or so. Too bad couldn’t say the same when Keira was drenched. All she needed was a sign saying “ASTRO, RM100” and she’d look exactly like the electric pole in front of my house.
Bla la bla.. the movie was dead boring. I was expecting Keira to actually salvage the movie via the scene in the library, but sadly it was as exciting as watching paint dry. Havent’t they ever heard of Basic Instinct? Sharon Stone has reached cult status just br crossing her legs.. :P
After watching this movie, I can only say that people who nominated this movie for best picture must’ve either been Paedophiles or Pole Lovers cause Bean: The Movie would’ve stood a better chance at the Oscars.
-takdekeje-
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i watched the film with an open mind despite being a no-fan over keira's over-emotional stereotype acting. my sister insisted that i watch it so i can share her obsessive sentiment over the not-traditionally-handsome (to me)James McAvoy..ha ha..sorry sis
as the movie progressed, i resent Briony the most over her over-active imagination that leads to a one-sided perception of how things happened, which later on tarnished Robbie's bright future. she over-interprets and mis-interprets everything she sees, and her crush on Robbie, coupled with her would-be writers need to make things up, all result in a shameful lie. A vengeful person that i am was hoping that something really bad happens to her (as she was seeking atonement)... yeah yeah she became a nurse, cleans bedpans, scrubs box springs, nurse wounded soldiers and playing along with their delusion, but i feel that the film does not devote enough effort to show her sufferings or how exhausting caring for the wounded is for her to really deserve the atonement..
also, Robbie's war scenes are failures of imagination because the filmmaker doesn't spend enough time to show the audience the chaos of battle and the horror of what Briony did to Robbie. of course i know the hardship of war from other movies, but i just want it to be reminded again in this film so i will feel so so so sorry for Robbie.
as far as the love story between Robbie and Cecilia goes, i just dont feel it.. the emotion just remained out of reach.. Neither Knightley nor McAvoy has a chance to let their love-story known to the public, hence when the inevitable happened, i was more sorry for the twist in Robbie's bright future than the tragic ending in their love-story.
all in all, having taken into account the review of other 3 contributors.. i'd say that this movie's rating is a dismal setiawangsa asam pedas.. overrated but not to one's satisfaction..
till next week's assignment.. have a fantabulous weekend y'all..
-ummi-
