The British war drama ‘Atonement’ is a sweeping, all encompassing, war drama. The title reflects the film’s theme precisely. The main character, Briony Tallis is a precocious thirteen year old girl, who irrevocably changes the course of several people’s lives when she accuses Cecilia’s (her older sister) lover, Robbie (James McAvoy) of a crime he has not committed. The film plays out the dark consequences of her deceipt, and her attempts to make amends for her lying.
This was an evocative and haunting film. So many scenes hung in the memory… The fabulous fountain scene at the beginning when Cecilia strips off to her underwear to rescue a broken vase, and fires up uncontrollably Briony’s fertile imagination…the war scenes with Robbie, especially the final beach scenes…the scenes that show Briony working as a nurse in London…especially the scenes when Briony has to deal with a group of incoming, seriously wounded soldiers, and is emotionally unprepared for it…the film’s resolution is an emotional bullseye, unpredictable and brilliant.
The film was directed by Joe Wright with a screenplay by Christopher Hampton adapted from the novel by Ian McEwan. Wright was helped by strong central performances. Keira Kneightley was great as the fragile, imperious Cecilia. James McAvoy was just right as the honest, traditional Robbie. Romola Garai gave my favourite performance as the 18 year old Briony. It was like one could tell exactly what she was thinking and feeling all the way through! Saoirse Ronan who played the young Briony was good portraying a young, precocious, bratty teenage girl, overcome by her emotions. Vanessa Redgrave gave a brief but emphatic performance as the elderly Briony.
