|
Atonement | 
 enlarge | Director: Joe Wright
Actors: Saoirse Ronan, Ailidh Mackay, Brenda Blethyn, Julia West, James Mcavoy
Studio: NBC Universal
Category: Movie
Buy New: $3.99
Rating:  240 reviews
Sales Rank: 113
Genre: Drama
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: Video Download
Running Time: 124 Minutes
ASIN: B0017W8ODK
Theatrical Release Date: December 7, 2007
Release Date: August 12, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Synopsis:
From the award-winning director of Pride and Prejudice comes a stunning, critically acclaimed epic story of love. When a young girl catches her sister in a passionate embrace with a childhood friend, her jealousy drives her to tell a lie that will irrevocably change the course of all their lives forever. Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley and James McAvoy lead an all-star cast in the film critics are hailing "the year's best picture" (Thelma Adams, US Weekly). |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 235 more reviews...
 TRUE LOVE DENIED August 19, 2008
Pamela A. Poddany (Toledo, Ohio)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
ATONEMENT
I always read the book before I watch the movie, but, for some reason, I could not get into the book. Maybe I didn't give the book enough of a chance. WOW, this movie was great!!!!!
Having jumped onto the band wagon a little late, I will not go into great detail regarding the plot of this film. The movie takes place in England before and during WWII. Upper-class Cecilia {Keira Knightley} and grounds-keeper Robbie {James McAvoy} -- who is always GREAT -- have been attracted to each other forever. Finally, they cannot deny their atttraction and love for one another. Cecilia's younger sister, Briony, is always lurking around and is constantly stumbling upon situations involving Cecilia and Robbie. To me, Briony, is nothing but a BAD SEED and trouble. The young actress who played her, Saoirse Ronan, was GREAT.
Briony witnesses a crime and accuses Robbie. The write up on the movie box said Briony is confused and mistakenly accuses Robbie -- me? I think she knew EXACTLY what she was doing. Briony was an evil little brat. Her blank stares gave me the creeps. Ronan is a great little actress.
The movie is wonderful, the book is probably excellent and I think I will give it another shot. The movie flew by quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!!!
My only problem with this movie was I had a hard time understanding Keira Knightly. She seemed to speak too softly and quickly and I had to back up several times to catch what she had said.
Rent ATONEMENT, buy ATONEMENT, or read ATONEMENT. You should be prepared with popcorn, drink, and kleenex!
Thank you!
Pam
Epic Love Story August 18, 2008
Lacy Conner (Osawatomie, Ks USA)
This movie is an epic love story of forbidden love. It is a tale of two people from different social classes, one is a society girl and the other is the housekeepers son they fall deeply in love and then are torn apart by devestating accusations from the society girls younger sister and cousin. Then the young man is sent of to war and the society girl goes on to a job in health care. They see each other again and he promises to come back to her. The ending is sad yet fitting and the movie altogether will bring tears to your eyes. It is the perfect date movie.
 Boring, Boring, Boring!!! August 16, 2008
No Name (los angeles,, california United States)
I like Keira Knightly and James Macavoy, but they were not in very many scenes together at all. The movie was slow. There was not the romance depicted in the trailers shown. I was very disappointed to say the least. I am surprised that any five stars were given to this uninspiring movie. The only thing I can say is that the cinematography was nice.
Could not get into the book August 12, 2008
Dumb Blonde Reviewing (In my bed)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After seeing the movie, I do fancy giving the book another go. But I definitely couldn't get my head around it the first time around.
Why did I buy Atonement? I was actually curious about this movie. People rave about it, crying when they came out of the cinema etc. People saying it was only made to win awards. All these five star reviews. Which normally means I won't like the film.
Although I was quite confused during the first half hour, as it flips between one person's viewpoint to another, but I soon got dragged into the movie. The cast do brilliantly in their roles, although I don't think I'm ever going to be a fan of James McAvoy. He's just not one of my favourite actors.
I won't go into the whole story, as so many other reviewers have already done so. But while I'll agree that yes, the film has been made to win awards, it is a really good film. I didn't, however, cry after watching it. I was more shocked when the credits were rolling. The only bit I didn't like in the movie was the much celebrated tracking shot through Dunkirk. Why is it so special? I got bored when it was on screen, there was nothing special there. In my opinion, it was an overly long shot, which didn't fit in with the rest of the movie.
Prepared to be shocked and surprised with this movie, as it takes you in a direction that I certainly didn't think it would. And I actually liked Keira Knightley for once. (I don't normally.) Although she's still far too skinny, but she'll never change. James McAvoy - I've seen him in a couple of films now - most recently Wanted - and I still don't like him. My personal opinion, other people start swooning when his name is mentioned, just not for me.
Watching Atonement has made me want to re-try the book again. And definitely watch the film again, to see if I can spot the little 'clues' that there's supposed to be throughout. But an excellent movie, and one I did not think I would like.
thought provoking, visually stunning, great cast but ... August 10, 2008
Classic Movie watcher
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first hour of the movie is impressive. The cinematography, the editing (twice with the same scene told from two different perspectives, one observed from Briony, the young sister and one showing what actually happened), the score (with typewriter providing the background sound) and the young sister's steadfast gaze and focused attitude all make an excellent presentation.
Then the second hour moved to the war in 1940, both in Europe and in London. A drastic change in the mood. Visually stunning and touching. Especially when Vanessa Redgrave as the old Briony disclosed everything that happened after her lie in 1935 - the truth as well as what she had hoped for.
I would say this is a good and thought provoking movie. But I can't help feeling what's holding it back from being a better one.
(a)It's very Joe Wright - it bears too close a resemblance to Pride and Prejudice in the first hour, in portraying the life of the Tallis family in the English countryside. In so doing, the movie lacks its signature tone and is somehow masked by the director's previous work.
(b)I wish I had not seen Pride and Prejudice and Miss Potter (with Keira Knightley, James Mcavoy and Brenda Blethyn already in the cast in addition to the same visually stunning portrayal of the English countryside). Atonement could then have made a refreshing and fluid story telling movie that stands out on its own.
(c)While Saoirse Ronan (young Briony) and James Mcavoy (as Robbie) are superb, Keira Knightly (as Cecilia) is not in the same league. She has the beauty but somehow her determined and firm look make her inner feelings unable to surface completely, short of what Saoirse Ronan and James Mcavoy have achieved. She could have delivered more subtlety and depth to her character. Maybe some part of the Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice) still lingers in her or maybe the director finds that already adequate? James Mcavoy, on the other hand, has pulled off a wonderful performance. Juno Temple (as Lola, Briony's cousin) is also impressive. She got to portray the young and the grown up Lola. It's unfortunate that Saiorse cannot do likewise and continue her captivating screen presence.
That being said, Atonement is still worth watching. I am also more sympathetic to what Briony (the young sister) has done. Should Robbie and Cecilia have been more discreet in their younger days, Briony would not have to make such a difficult decision. So atonement, in some sense, needs not rest on Briony's shoulders alone.
|
|
|
|
Merlin's Cave | |
