Director: Joe Wright
Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan
‘An Amazing Adaptation’
Not many actors in Hollywood have produced films that audiences enjoy like James McAvoy. Since his rise to recognition during the 1990’s, McAvoy has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s troubled soldiers, psychotic killers or police officers, McAvoy has portrayed many powerful characters. Arguably, McAvoy’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. McAvoy has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Through willingness to take risks in his career, McAvoy has become an actor which audiences value. An actor with strong commitment towards his craft, McAvoy has become a commemorated icon in entertainment. Widely regarded a British icon, McAvoy has made countless timeless movies audiences cherish. Throughout his strong career, McAvoy has produced several unforgettable films that are absolutely worth taking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of McAvoy and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Atonement” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as a period piece classic. With the most visually stunning movie of his career, Wright did an extraordinary job of adapting a classic book about a doomed romantic affair. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the finest period dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by James McAvoy, who portrays a soldier that is wrongfully accused of grim crime he hasn’t done. Ultimately, what makes “Atonement” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to recognize it. It delivers a heartwarming message about wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. A riveting adaptation of an iconic book, there are several strong reasons why “Atonement” is worth seeing.
Set in 1930’s England, “Atonement” tells the story of a soldier facing wrongful conviction causing resentment. James McAvoy portrays Robbie Turner, a conflicted WWII soldier that seeks love. Robbie’s dreams come true when he falls madly in love with Cecilia Taillis (Kiera Knightley). Cecilia is the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Despite their differences in social class, Robbie and Cecilia get along extremely well together. However, their romance faces disaster when Robbie is accused of a crime he hasn’t committed by Cecilia’s sister. Briony (Saoirse Ronan) is an impressionable young girl seeking to control her sister’s life. Faced with a dilemma, Robbie struggles to prove his innocence in a frightening case of wrongful conviction that causes trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Robbie begins to wonder whether he will ever be able to find a lifelong lover. Faced with the resentment of wrongful imprisonment, Robbie questions if he can achieve atonement.
Joe Wright is fascinated with romance stories in Britain. Before he directed “Atonement”, he was well-known for making movies capturing British lovers. His award-winning movie “Pride and Prejudice” offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous romantic book. With “Atonement”, however, Wright created his first WWII period piece. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a legendary book about the lives of doomed lovers, but he succeeded well. Through captivating cinematography, Wright captures a doomed affair between lovers that face tragedy. Evoking Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, Wright effectively uses point of view shots to capture a young girl that spies on her sister through a window. For instance, point of view shots enhance the spying scene. During this unforgettable scene, Briony spies upon her sister having a romantic encounter with Robbie causing disaster. Through point of view shots, Wright creates a powerful character audiences can easily relate to. Point of view shots are not simple to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, point of view shots elevate commemorated horror movies about scary sharks. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through spellbinding visuals, Wright captures frightening tensions which commemorated lovers in a doomed affair are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Atonement” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Wright effectively uses production design of a British estate home to capture the hardship of lovers whose relationships decline. Throughout the movie, the Tallis’ home plays a powerful role in capturing doomed romance of lovers. For instance, set design of the ancient home elevates the sex scene. During this tense scene, Briony catches her sister red handed as she has sex with Robbie in the house’s library. One appreciates the production of the home capturing the lives of lovers that face tension. British mansions are tricky settings to employ in movies. As Robert Altman’s “Gosford Park” suggested, mansions enhance classic murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Moreover, the score is phenomenal. Dario Marianelli’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a frightening atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers which endure wrongful conviction bear. Through powerful production-design, Wright captures the lives of lovers that experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Atonement” is a captivating romance which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses sequences of silence to capture lovers torn apart by violence. Wright’s greatest screenwriting strength is his ability to capture struggles of lovers facing wrongful conviction by silence. For instance, silence enhances the wrongful accusation scene. During this intense scene, Briony makes a strong accusation when she accuses Robbie of a crime which he hasn’t committed. One appreciates scenes of silence capturing hardship faced by individuals which face wrongful conviction. Silence isn’t an easy technique. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” suggested, silence elevates commemorated movies about the Holocaust. John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” suggested that silence elevates commemorated horror movies about apocalypse survival. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Wright captures lovers that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
James McAvoy delivers one of his best career performances as Robbie. McAvoy first earned appreciation for playing magnetic comic book heroes. With “Atonement”, however, the actor took on his most emotional role. It isn’t simple to portray a soldier that’s wrongfully accused of committing crimes but McAvoy succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most heartfelt role. McAvoy has commonly excelled at playing emotional characters under pressure, and “Atonement” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With strong expressions, he captures the angst, grief and determination of a soldier that is wrongfully accused of crime he hasn’t committed causing destruction. It’s a breathtaking performance by one of the most underrated actors that is currently working in Hollywood today.
Keira Knightley is captivating as a woman that engages in a doomed love affair with a soldier causing tragedy. Knightley has always had an aptitude for playing romantic women that face stress, and “Atonement” showcases her finest strengths as an actress. Whether she is flirting with Robbie or growing ashamed when she is caught having sex by Briony, Knightley deftly uses her nose language to create a powerful woman that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for conveying strong emotions through bold expressions without words. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actresses today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Saoirse Ronan. As a young girl that destroys her sister’s romantic relationship, she brings an air of mystery to the movie.
Finally, “Atonement” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing lovers which endure resentment. Unlike most movies set during WWII, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses poignant themes of angst, identity and trauma that will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about danger of wrongful conviction which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Atonement” is one of those commemorated movies about WWII that ebeyrone will adore.
Fans of James McAvoy will enjoy “Atonement” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. A remarkable romantic classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about lovers in WWII torn apart by wrongful accusations of crimes that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 