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#26

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:48pm

roquat I don't feel that I am alone in saying the is a "necessity" to see this. Its brillent, its romantic but not in the sappy way it appears to be from the previews, its more a portrait of guilt

#27

I thought it was a great movie for the first part, then was bored out of my mind during the McAvoy-centered portion, and then loved it again once they switched focus to the ladies.
I too think that Briony is the leading role but since it's played by three different actresses they had to place it in the supporting role category for award purposes. I thought the three ladies who played the role were fascinating in their portrayal.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#28

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 12:21am

I recognize this as a big, well made motion picture, but that's it.

For me there was no atonement whatsoever. She never showed a bit of remorse, never spoke up, and then made up some sappy ending for her book. She said she "gave them happiness" or something to that effect. No, she gave herself a pass.

There was never enough focus on the two lovers, no buildup of interest so that you'd care about them.

The ending ruined the entire thing for me. Blech.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#29

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 3:09pm

Well, that was certainly a happy cheerful little film, wasn't it?

Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#30

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 3:53pm

For me there was no atonement whatsoever. She never showed a bit of remorse, never spoke up, and then made up some sappy ending for her book. She said she "gave them happiness" or something to that effect. No, she gave herself a pass.

There was never enough focus on the two lovers, no buildup of interest so that you'd care about them.

I agree with this, totally. I know that the film focused more on Briony's story, but given that her story was less compelling than it could have been, that time could almost better have been spent focusing on the lovers. I didn't find that they were particularly compelling, and I wasn't drawn in to the love story at all (where I think I was meant to have been). I enjoyed it fine, and it's certainly a well-made movie, but it didn't have any emotional impact for me.

#31

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 4:04pm

sweetsiren and Jane2: Did y'all read the novel?

"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere

#32

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 4:18pm

Saw it for the first time a couple days ago, and I too, fell in love with it. Especially the first hour. And my friend and I could not stop saying "beautiful," that's what the whole movie was. Beautiful.

I agree about the performances, what a great performance from a child. Those eyes, made me think evil. And she really didn't look upset when he was being taken away.

I, too was a little bored in the middle, though I absolutely fell in love with McAvoy. Once the ending came around, though, I realized it was a necessary part of the movie.

I also wished for a bit more of a backstory, but I think my emotional impact came from McAvoy; even though there wasn't htat much of a backstory, I found myself caring for him so much, especially in his last scene in the movie in the apartment. Brilliant acting. So glad it got the award for score, so well-deserved, though I wish it won some more.

And yeah, the hwole end of the movie, my friend was bawling, I just watched with my jaw held open for the full last 5 minutes of the movie. Damn. It was just perfect.

"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli

#33

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 4:42pm

very deserving oscar for score.

I didn't need any more information than the film gave. It was just right. And I was never bored. How could anyone be bored during that unbelievable and devastating long shot on the beach?

This will be my first blu-ray DVD when I get a player.

johnraymondbarker.com

#34

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 9:16pm

"For me there was no atonement whatsoever. She never showed a bit of remorse, never spoke up, and then made up some sappy ending for her book. She said she "gave them happiness" or something to that effect. No, she gave herself a pass."

She didn't "give herself a pass. Apparently, you don't understand the grief that plagued Briony her entire life. She never gave herself a pass. She was alienated by her sister for making such a foolish mistake as a girl. An ultimately fatal and horrendous mistake - it was foolish - but it was the foolish mistake of a young girl. A young girl who, as the film says, sees something she doesn't understand, but thinks she does. Living with that guilt and the feeling that she has forever ruined these people's lives is worse than death for her. How would you like to have seen her make up for it? By the time she was old enough to really recognize what she has caused, she couldn't do anything about it.

There is something profoundly beautiful in the way that this woman is tortured her entire life. As a storyteller, the only thing she knew how to do was to write a book. I don't see how that's giving herself a pass, when she then freely admits that the ending was fiction.

And I don't think we're necessarily supposed to care SPECIFICALLY for Robbie and Cecilia. It's not about Robbie and Cecilia. It's about a domino effect of one person's careless actions. What's devastating is that ANY two people's lives could be so heinously devastated by this misfortune. It was a great love that could have been.

So for me, anyway, when I was weeping at the end of the movie, it wasn't for Robbie and Cecilia. While I did, through my multiple viewings and reading of the novel, find great affection for them both - it wasn't about them for me. It was a perfect illustration of how every decision that we make in life has consequences that can't always be fathomed. I think about that every day - not because of ATONEMENT, but in general.

Does that make ANY sense? I know I'm passionate about this story.

And I still don't understand how you could possibly say that she never showed any remorse. That's almost a laughable comment.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

Updated On: 3/29/08 at 09:16 PM

#35

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 9:43pm

"Apparently, you don't understand the grief that plagued Briony her entire life. She never gave herself a pass."

"And I still don't understand how you could possibly say that she never showed any remorse. That's almost a laughable comment."

I watched this film in a screening room with members of the academy plus some other erudite adults. We had a long conversation afterwards, and my post pretty much echoes the assessment of the room that night.

Similar opinions to mine were also mentioned in the TONY review of the film.

You really must learn how to respect others' opinions and keep snideness out of your comments. They aren't appreciated.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#36

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:15pm

Munk, I appreciate you giving your perspective on the film. Still, I didn't feel -- based on the film, I haven't read the book -- that Briony's remorse is conveyed well enough for her and it to be the center of the story. Maybe there was too strong of a self-pitying note to it all, with the self-imposed punishment in hopes of atoning for her mistake. Her struggles with guilt could be the main focus of the film, but as so much time was spent with Cecilia and Robbie, I didn't feel that they were. I also felt that the actress in the middle portion of the film was weaker than Ronan or Redgrave. I suppose I didn't feel invested enough in either Briony's story or the love story to be satisfied with the film.

#37

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:28pm

oh I so dont agree with the idea that she didn't show remorse or enough remorse. I felt so much pain for briony in her adult portrayals.

johnraymondbarker.com

#38

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:31pm

She felt so much remorse that she allowed her lie to remain and ruin their lives until they died. I didn't buy her for one minute.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#39

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:35pm

I'm devastated that you didn't have the same experience with the film that I did. Because it was glorious.

johnraymondbarker.com

#40

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:40pm

Thank you for stating your feelings that way, Jrby.

Hey, I started out loving the film. As I said, it was huge, and well made. But I can only be honest in what I feel-I felt nothing for the couple, and I resented Briony for not speaking up her entire life, and allowing the lie to remain, and let the couple languish until they died.

Where was the atonement? That she made up a happy scenario in her book? No good.

I didn't totally hate the film. I enjoyed it, for its fine points, just didn't get the emotion from it.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#41

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 10:48pm

she could have been high society. She became a nurse and paid her dues. She was clearly sickened about the subject during the interview (remember how she had to leave the room). Everything I needed was in Redgrave's eyes during the end of the film.

And by the time she comprehended what she had done, the family wanted to hear nothing of it and it was already too late.

But if you needed something else, then that's what you needed.

johnraymondbarker.com

#42

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/29/08 at 11:03pm

Why bother being a nurse when you can just say to anyone, "I lied". I mean, go to the police, don't even bother with the family.

I don't know, the whole thing doesn't make sense to me, but I certainly respect your opinion and it's wonderful when you get so much enjoyment from a film. I've gotten as much from other films that you may not have liked~ it evens out!

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#43

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:35am

"I watched this film in a screening room with members of the academy plus some other erudite adults. We had a long conversation afterwards, and my post pretty much echoes the assessment of the room that night.

Similar opinions to mine were also mentioned in the TONY review of the film.

And...? Are you saying that because of who you watched the film with and what conversation transpired that your opinion has more validity? And what does TONY have to do with this? There are so many damn critics out there that one publication or another is bound to agree with someone. I don't understand why you're mentioning that at all.

"You really must learn how to respect others' opinions and keep snideness out of your comments. They aren't appreciated.

And you must learn to not read my posts with such a strong spike or something. I never said your opinions were wrong. I was never rude. I never intended to be snide. I simply asked how you could possibly say that she showed no remorse. If that's being snide, well, then, you've totally lost me.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#44

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:52am

"And...? Are you saying that because of who you watched the film with and what conversation transpired that your opinion has more validity? "

That's exactly right. That's why I said it. You tried implying that my comments were almost laughable, and that I don't understand such and such. Since you have so little respect for my opinion, I felt the need to throw in some others' opinions which you may not dismiss so thoroughly.

Yep, you were snide. You don't see that telling someone that their take on a film is almost laughable is condescending and rude? Telling me what I don't understand isn't presumptuous? Then get off your high horse for a minute.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#45

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:55am

No, I don't think your ENTIRE take on the film is laughable, just that one comment.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#46

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:58am

That one comment summed up what I thought of the major point of the film.

Forget it, munk.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#47

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 12:03pm

Another thing that really makes ATONEMENT great to me is the art direction. Hell, the art direction, costume design, cinematography. The most visually stunning film in years.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#48

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 12:12pm

I thought Atonement was absolutely beautiful. The entire movie had me in awe, and once it ended, my friend and I sat in the movie theatre in silence for a good five minutes, with absolutely nothing to do but stare at the end credits. James McAvoy is a very underrated actor; he was phenomenal in both this and The Last King of Scotland, and yet gets no recognition. Keira Knightley was wonderful as well, finally (at least to me) maturing and tackling a role that actually tested her ability not to just turn out a strong performance, but to do it in the subtle tone of the film.

In terms of the atonement, here's my perspective, and you can agree or not, but it's just my thoughts. I think Briony didn't know what to do until she was in her late teens, and by then, was quite unsure what to do. She knew that telling someone then that she lied about a rape when she was 10 may not do much. But once Lola gets married, Briony realized that her window of opportunity closed. She can never tell anyone that it was actually Paul who raped Lola, because they are married now, and neither of them will admit to it. Lola got wrapped up in Paul, and with their marriage, there is no way Briony can break that bond, even if she tells the police the truth. The fact of the matter is that it becomes a game of he said, she said, with Briony saying Paul raped Lola, but with them married, Lola and Paul denying it. In turn, it will make Briony's accusations void, and not change the harm she brought to Robbie and Cecilia anyway. This may not be something others will agree with, but I feel that Briony then realizes the least she can do to rectify the situation is to give them the ending they deserved instead of the tragedy they got.

I loved this movie so much. I thought it was executed beautifully. There were many subtle details, like Briony standing next to the window featuring Matilda, who was known for falsely accusing people. I do understand why James McAvoy said this was the best script he ever read. I find it absolutely amazing.

#49

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 12:13pm

There is no 'real' atonement for Briony. To me, the last scene with Romola (adult Briony) where she is sitting on the train, wide eyed, unmoving, and staring into the void...that scene can pretty much sum up her entire existance. Notice how there isn't any music playing, it's just the sound of the train passing quickly through the tracks....it's quiet devestation. She is always alone, faced with unbearable guilt, sadness, regret, and loneliness, staring into nothing, all the while knowing that whatever she will do with the rest of her life will never be enough to amend for the past and one decision that she made as an ignorant child. Maybe I'm just a freak, but I find that really heartbreaking.

And a sidenote: What happened to Robbie and Cecilia was not all Briony's fault, and Briony's motives for her actions were much more clear in the novel. In the novel, before The Lie, Briony honestly did believe that Robbie was a fiend, and what she had seen in the library couldn't have been anything besides a physical attack on Cecilia, and that he would do it again. Briony said that she would do all she could to save Cecilia from him, even if her actions were thankless. That was her motive, it stemmed from love, and in the movie, it was not exactly spelled out.

And also, because I think a lot of people miss this... it was the little, seemingly inconsequential things combined with the actions of EVERY person there the night of Robbie's arrest that played an equal part in what happened. Little things like the broken vase, the heat wave, the rehearsal for the play going awry, the sickeningly cloying cocktails, the overcooked dinner, Jack Tallis (the father) deciding to spend the night away from home...then larger things like Leon inviting Robbie to dinner, what happened between Lola and Marshall, Robbie's two notes, the twins running away, Robbie choosing to search for the twins alone instead of with Cecilia and Leon, etc etc... Just so often there are movies and novels that depict the universe coming together magically for one moment in time to bring happiness and clarity to everyone, but in this case it was the opposite, the universe came together in a perfect way for one moment but what happened was that everyone (excepting two characters) was destroyed. How can that NOT be considered tragic by everyone? That's like, the very definition of tragedy in my book.

Updated On: 3/30/08 at 12:13 PM

#50

re: Atonement

Posted: 3/30/08 at 12:14pm

Jane - I had exactly the same issue with the story. It came across to me as someone who wanted to say at the end, "But I WANTED to make it better, so that's what should count." I say, "Nonsense." Actions speak louder than words, and the fact is she never attempted to make things 'right' - and she could have.

I was somewhat flummoxed by so many people buying into this, except that society in general seems to have devolved to a point where taking responsibility for one's actions just isn't that much of a priority.

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