Atonement

Anyone who has read Ian McEwan’s sweeping novel Atonement can tell you that the story touches nerves and evokes feelings and emotions. Putting the story on the big screen heightens those feelings through the breathtaking imagery and scenery.

“Atonement” is the story of how one young girl’s jealous mistake affects the lives of the people around her. When young Briony (played by three different actresses as she ages) interrupts a moment of passion between her elder sister Cecila (Keira Knightley) and the housekeeper’s son Robbie (James McAvoy), her imagination runs wild and paints Robbie as a “sex maniac.” When her teenage cousin is assaulted, Briony is the only “witness” as she calls out Robbie for the crime. Robbie is sent to war with Cecila, now a nurse, serves as his guiding light and reason to go on living. Will the lovers ever be able to be reuintied and will Briony be able to repair the damage she has caused to the people closest to her? The film skips years and changes perspectives between it’s three main characters: Robbie, Briony and Cecila as we follow them through the idyllic years before WWII in the English countryside, through the war in France, and wartime London to the present day.



The film is a nice blend of literal adaptation and cinematic originality. It differs from the book in parts and gives life to McEwan’s well-defined characters on screen. The beautiful English gardens stand in stark contrast to the grey and haunting French landscapes during the war. McAvoy is remarkable as Robbie as his character evolves and changes from a carefree young man to a hardened soldier fraught with his own demons. Knightley plays Cecila quite well, although she doesn’t offer any new range here. Child actress Saoirse Ronan as young Briony is good as well and bears a remarkable resemblance to Romola Garai who plays Briony at age 18 (the role is also shared briefly by Vanessa Redgrave).

“Atonement” is sure to garner Oscar nominations, if not for McAvoy then for adapted screenplay. A somewhat difficult novel to transform to film due to it’s leaps in time, non-linear narrative, and well-crafted inner dialogue of characters, and screenwriter Christopher Hampton has done the novel justice. Already nominated for a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, “Atonement” is a must-see.

Keira Knightley and James McAvoy along with director Joe Wright were present for the film’s introductions. Knightley is beatuiful in person and not nearly as frail as she often appears in photos. McAvoy is quite handsome. Both are short and small people which somewhat betrays their cinematic presence. “Atonement” received a standing ovation at the film’s finish.