Atonement (2007)

A film I had seen as soon as it came out, and haven’t been able to watch much since. Don’t get me wrong, though, the fact that I have been avoiding it is nothing to do with it being a n awful movie, quite the opposite.

Fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister Cecilia’s (Keira Knightley) lover, Robby (James McAvoy) of a crime he did not commit.

I had to borrow the IMDB description again because there was no other way to word this without giving away a lot of the plot. Before I go on, though, I have to say that this is probably the only film that I adore Keira Knightley in, and this is the first film I saw James McAvoy in, so you might have to deal with some fangirling.

I’m somewhat of a masochist when it comes to war movies. War is my favourite – or one of – film genre and it’s one that always makes me cry. There are just certain things about war movies that affect me very deeply. Maybe it’s because I know they happened, even if the main characters themselves are fabricated, maybe it’s because it hits close to home with my grandfather’s brother being in the war, I’m not sure. All I know is that war movies make me cry. That and animal movies with unhappy scenes, but that’s irrelevant for now.

Atonement was no exception. I remember I actually got quite annoyed because a whole group of my so-called friends told me they were going to go study one Friday afternoon but instead skipped out on class and drove down to the waterfront to watch this in cinemas without inviting me, even though they knew I really wanted to see it. I saw it the day after and wasn’t disappointed. Also, I was very glad I saw it alone. The thing with Atonement, is that it’s a very well-paced but rather slow movie. This isn’t a war film where lots of action keeps you guessing, no, it’s a film about life and lives broken.

The two main characters have a history that isn’t explained but enough information is volunteered for the audience to guess for themselves, and when their romance finally flourishes it’s perfect. As much as this is a romance movie through-and-through, it’s not gushy. It’s painful. Two people who truly love one another have been separated by circumstances they couldn’t control or predict, and they have no way in hell of stopping the course their lives are taking. It’s real, it’s agonizing, and it’s very human. Briony Tallis is also the most hateful character I have ever come across in film or book. In my eyes she has absolutely no redeeming qualities, and nothing in the film – or book – that she did to change her original mistake ever made me like her or even pity her. Some things really can’t be undone. Or maybe I’m just a romantic at heart.

One thing that really stood out for me in this film that I have yet to see in others, is the way the first half is cut. Before Robby gets arrested, the beginning of the film is shown twice: once through the eyes of Briony, shadowed by her childish prejudices and misunderstandings, and the second time as they actually happened, when the situations make sense and actions are understandable. Because of this, the film is incredibly fascinating to follow. As it progresses, the film doesn’t lose the magic, though considering three separate storylines are followed crossovers are rare. A lot of the film is flashbacks from either Robby’s end of Cecilia’s, or fantasized situations thought up by Briony during later nights of clarity and understanding of her actions.

The cinematography on this film is impeccable, showing the gray and worried London juxtaposed with the violent and war-torn French countryside. Flashbacks to a calm and tranquil country manor add color and emotion as well. One scene in the film is a 5-minute-long continuous single take that follows Robby and two of his comrades around a beach filled with soldiers waiting to be shipped home. It’s hands down one of the most powerful scenes I have seen in cinema to date. Time doesn’t seem to be passing in that shot, it’s entrancing and hypnotizing and powerful as all hell… it’s absolutely beautiful.

I can’t really say much more; if I say something about the ending it could be considered a spoiler, but I will say that those that can’t handle a certain level of angst should just steer clear of this film. It will hurt you.

An 8.5/10 from me. I would say I will happily watch it again, but happily is the wrong word. I love the film, I enjoy watching it when I do, but I can’t watch it often. It hits me in the heart and doesn’t let go till the credits start rolling, and only then to allow me to breathe a while; it’s a film you don’t forget quickly. I recommend it, I do, but only to those prepared for it. I know that this film didn’t affect some of my friends as much as it affected me, but everyone has their triggers.

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