Atonement

Saw this film this weekend. I will admit to being one of thsoe who didn't believe the book could be adapted. i was so wrong. This film is stunning in every way possible.

McAvoy gives one of his best performance in it. Knightley is also wonderful in it. However, I have to say that Saoirse Ronan (aged 13) gives the best performance I have EVER seen someone her age give. It is astonishing. Any 50 year old would be lucky to give a performance as precise and subtle as hers.

This is my favorite film of the year thusfar.

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It's a terrific book, you're missing out. It's a short read too.

I really adore the director's Pride and Prejudice so I can't wait to see this.

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However, I have to say that Saoirse Ronan (aged 13) gives the best performance I have EVER seen someone her age give. It is astonishing.

Agreed- after seeing her performance in Atonement I am actually now *really* looking forward to the adaptation of The Lovely Bones, which is something I didn't think I would ever say considering how much I love that book so.

It's probably the best movie I've seen in years. It's really devestating, and basically (except for a little scene at the end) page for page exactly like the book. The book lovers out there won't be disappointed.

I thought Saoirse was amazing, but I was so much more impresssed with Romola Garai (adult Briony). She did so much with limited screentime, she was subtle and really heartbreaking, and I thought her and McAvoy gave the best performances in the movie. I hope the both get some major recognition for their work come award season.

Go and see this movie everyone!

I thought the first part of the book was fantastic, but the last part, especially the part at the beach, was stupid and pointless.

The book would've been a lot better without that part.

I didn't really like all the stuff at the hospital, either.

But the end was nice.

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The book is amazing, the film is amazing.

I was totally enamored by the film. Oscar worthy film, direction, performances, editing, screenplay, score, art direction, cinematography, etc. It's a masterpiece. I cried and cried and cried.

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Absolutely wonderful.

But "Sweeney Todd" was better.

Ha.

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Loved the book, and the movie absolutely did it justice. I wasn't quite so hot on the change of the location of the ending, as in the book it had a lovely sense of symmetry and coming full circle, but it didn't greatly affect it. The costuming and score were both wonderful, and that one long shot through the ruined beach was just... wow.

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Knightley was great. What crap does she get? She's Oscar nominated.

But the real revelation in this film was Saiorse (sp?) Ronan, who gave one of the greatest performances I have ever seen from a young person. Those eyes. I'd love to see her walk away with an Oscar. She was brilliant.

But, I mean come on. I just don't get how Vanessa Redgrave is actually getting nominations for her performance.. for all 3 minutes of it.

I'll post the review I posted elsewhere:

I can describe this film in one word: beautiful. It's lush. It's fascinating. It also turns out to be a complete bore. The first hour of the film is brilliant- quick, emotional, exciting. Then, something happens. The story becomes a sappy war story, an endless montage of beautiful but truthfully unmoving images. Yes, the performances are great. Saiorse Ronan is just brilliant, giving one of the most subtle, nuanced performances I have ever witnessed from a child. She's just wonderful and carries the films better half with dramatic wit. Keira Knightley is great in her less exciting role, which is oddly the lead role. James McAvoy is also first rate. Romola Garai, playing the same role about 6 years later as Ronan, is also subtle and nuanced, but also a tad bit crazy. Vanessa Redgrave, with her whole 3 minutes of screen time, is also quite good. However, the film just can't recover from those boring 45 minutes. The ending is a huge twist, and I must say, I was surprised. Yes, it's one of the year's best film, although nowhere near the brilliance of "Sweeney Todd". I liked it, yes. Next time I watch it, I'll just fast forward through the second half, and try not to cry my eyes out at the film's conclusion.

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I actually bought the novel with some of my Christmas money.And once again I proved to myself why it's a really, really bad thing that I like to read the last few pages of a novel first.

Liked Atonement. I thought all three Brionys were wonderful, and it's a shame that they are indeed played by three actresses, because Briony really is the lead role. I've never been terribly impressed with Keira Knightley (that's putting it mildly). She was fine in this.

And yeah, James McAvoy is hot. And the fact that he's Scottish automatically makes him 100 times hotter.

I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I saw it last week on my bus trip to NYC...

J*

I don't feel any great necessity to see this. It looks like what I refer to as a "sigh" movie--Suffering In Great Hats.

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