Joe Wright broke away from directing TV mini-series with a very capable version of Pride and Prejudice (6) in 2005. He followed it with this film, Atonement, an adaptation of an Ian McEwan novel. I haven't read the book yet.
It is immediately apparent that this is a visually striking film. The scenes in the opulent Tallis Estate and the later war scenes, most particularly the long sequence following the refuges on the beach, are gorgeously shot. This movie was nominated for Oscars in cinematography and art direction, and was completely robbed by not winning both of them.
One can make a pretty fair argument that it was robbed by not winning best picture as well, particularly as it was an especially weak field that year. Saoirse Ronan shockingly got an Oscar nomination for her performance as the youngest Briony Tallis. Surprising not because she wasn't good, but because she was only 13, and I thought Romola Garai was equally good as the second version of Briony. James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are also solid in their roles as star-crossed lovers.
Christopher Hamilton is a screenwriter who often works on film adaptations of classic books (A Doll's House, The Secret Agent, The Quiet American, etc). I'll be interested in seeing how he does with the upcoming remake of East of Eden.
A 7 rating.
Friday, February 12, 2010
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