Atonement - B+

In what is to be the weekend of books turned movies (I’m seeing Golden Compass tonight) I had a terrific start with Atonement. I first read Ian McEwan’s novel turned movie in St. Maarten. It’s probably the worst beach read I could ever recommend to anyone. The sad WW II epic follows the story of a child’s imagination gone wrong. She is confused by what she doesn’t understand and acts accordingly. Playing the young Briony is Saoirse Ronan. She oversees her sister Cecilia (played by Keira Knightley) in sexual congress with the groundsboy played by James McAvoy. Now as exciting as this sounds, it takes a bit to get there in the book. The flowery language of McEwan is entertaining but most nights on the beach I found myself sleeping with the book more than reading it. I was very interested to see how the dead time between important events would be portrayed on film. I’m going to be bold here and say that Joe Wright directs his way to an Oscar Nomination with his follow up to Pride and Predjudice.

Now because I have read the book, I knew the plot, and any time this occurs it’s a bit distracting because the viewer becomes anxious. So instead of focusing on the story, which is sad and twisting, I was totally immersed in the technical elements. The adaptation of the novel became the subject of the movie for me, not the movie itself.

Briony’s character loves to invent stories, to make this come to life Wright has the staccato of a typewriter bring us from scene to scene. The book and movie are both fragmented in their story telling ways, which would present a problem if the motiff didn’t work so well.

The camera work is stellar, Wright mixes angles constantly creating a fresh feel to every scene. The hallways of the London hospital become his playground, showing the frantic pacing of nurses on the mach. There is a take in this film that is about 5 minutes long, on the beaches of France(?) Wright shows the entire army in an overwhelming fashion, giving the viewer a real grasp on the vastness of war. For those of you who work with or just enjoy looking at films from a cameraman’s point of view, this one has plenty of tricks to appreciate.

Sound wise this is a piece of art. Each scene is more like an interlude in an overarching sonata. The mixing was superb, especially for the dramatic transitions that happened throughout the film.

The acting was good, not great. I wasn’t driven to tears but I already knew the ending so I suppose that means a lot. Knightley will continue to play period pieces in England until she is old and greying. McAvoy does well in everything I’ve seen him in, so no huge complaints here.

Because the movie is so driven by important elements of the plot (and I liked it), I wouldn’t feel right discussing what works and what doesn’t. The themes though are free game, and I’m very happy to announce my satisfaction. I imagine book clubs throughout the country had a lot to say about the miscommunication/interpretation of Briony’s young mind.

Lastly I’d like to commend the audience I watched this film with. A sold out show Friday evening and no one talked, snored, or was inappropriate. I wish all my viewing experiences could follow suit.