Atonement/Pride And Prejudice [2005]

Average customer rating:

Picturesque...

Atonement/Pride And Prejudice [2005]
Starring: Keira Knightley , Tom Hollander , Rosamund Pike , Jena Malone , and Judi Dench
Director: Joe Wright
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Drama | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0012OTRTS
Release Date: 2008-02-04

Customer Reviews:

Picturesque... .......2008-02-03

("Atonement" segment)

Plot:

1935, and 13 year-old Briony (Ronan) changes the course of several lives when she misreads the relationship between her sister Cecilia (Knightley) and housekeeper's son Robbie (McAvoy). Later, as World War II rages, she tries to atone for her mistake.

My Review:

This is Briony (Saoirse Ronan), forged by her family and aspiring to be an accomplished writer and playwright and pedantic know-it-all; who uses that same enthusiasm to run riot with her advocated mind full of plethora's that seem to lie down like a silver-platter full of misconstrued actions.

Her lucid creativity and lack of self-awareness; all too common with some kids these days, as she verges on the precipice of all too well known adolescence, adding a twisted sense of her judgement, in effect creating a series of shocking revelations.

Romola Garai plays the elder counterpart of Briony gets the more difficult less pungent role, a character that lives an almost entirely introvert life. Some screen mannerisms shows this gamut, she's overshadowed by Saoirse Ronan as her 13 year-old self, who seems more aware of herself and her surroundings.

Her sister on the other hand, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), with her sharp tones are exactly posh enough to fit Cecilia; lounges by the pool smoking with Brother Leon (Patrick Kennedy) all the while keeping her distance from nonentity Robbie (James McAvoy), a scholarship boy with little to recommend him than himself. The elder cast actors barely get a look in or even a second look - near-cameos from Brenda Blethyn, and Vanessa Redgrave aside, the three are in the centre stage. McAvoy astoundingly impresses, while Knightley who finally stakes her claim in a grown-up part and does more without a pirate's rusty blade.

Fantasy refined with a pragmatist sense of underwater scenes make the stately home feel like a home, heat, tension, sexual and or otherwise, cracking from under the marble floors. All leading to an erotic sex scene audiences' will not expect, but be stunned despite the fact that both parties remain almost fully dressed. All seems too well; time seems to be against them.

1940, as World War II rages around them, we see the central three characters - Cecilia, Robbie and Briony (now played by Romola Garai) a few years later. Cecilia and Briony are working as nurses in London, Briony giving the indication of following her sisters' footsteps to atone, while Robbie is part of the ill-fated British Expeditionary Force, trying desperately to reach the boat for home at Dunkirk in the last and darkest days of Britain's war effort. Innocence of youth has faded to something chilling, a world that's covered in veils and old faded photographs with impiety and an ever-present paucity of light. The second act sees Briony turn from self-righteous to stricken in the turn of a page. We have the chance to wallow in the mess she has left, and realise the full extent of the crime for which she must atone.

Some very neat and summer-tinged French countryside through which Robbie and his comrades tramp is already war-weary, provides some beautiful and some brutal detours that make the surroundings more of a shock than welcoming. Some have and have not seen clips and small sneak peeks about what's going to make Wright's reputation. In a gob-smacking (literally) five-minute tracking shot on the beach at Dunkirk, as Robbie's exhausted troopers stagger in to find not refuge but chaos. To incessantly babble of it would not give its full constructive meaning. This is as effective a World War II beach scene matching to Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan's opening.

The quality of the production as a whole removes any indication in flaws in the narrative; which are almost immediately overshadowed by the next esteemed scene. When on some level you are left with a crescendo volleyed ending, you are left reeling and wanting more. The end plays as a shock, is there ever a happy ending?

Verdict:

Delicately handled, goes from pure heavenly fantasy to brutal war-time drama. Well contrasted with gorgeous cinematography, a picturesque score and unquestionable performances. 8/10.

Customer Reviews:

Raw.......2008-01-28

This film really touches a raw nerve. It's about pain. people mostly don't seem to like it and it often puts people to sleep. Of the people I know who watched it the women found it meaningless, most guys found it dull but some found it profoundly touching and upsetting. I liked the film but I think Vincent lost his way here - why o why didn' he use all those genius tracks that Frusciante did for him for this film. They're sitting there on the soundtrack and Gallo used them as inspiration. A friend and I put the film on and played some of the Frusciante tracks in the background - especially for the opening motorcycle race and it was great. I think a quick director's cut with all the music would make quite a difference.

A Road Trip Into Despair.......2006-04-07

With stunning landscape shots and explicit content this film is an abstract glimpse at dysfunctional love.
Bud is searching for Daisy, childhood friend and ex-lover, while travelling across America to a motorbike race he is due to take part in. He is drawn to several inappropriate young girls on his journey hinting at his troubled relations with the girl that he really wants to find. The audience is alone with Bud for most of the film which serves to engulf you in Bud's despair. Sparse awkward dialogue keeps the audience guessing as to what kind of relationship Bud and Daisy have. Vincent Gallo plays the disturbed guilt-ridden loner very convincingly. The portrayal is so real it leaves you unsure as to whether it is Bud or Vincent you are watching fighting insanity. This is particularly relevant considering Gallo's total authorship of the piece. Chole Sevigny plays an abused soul, prepared to go to extreme lengths just to be able to feel again, with her usual subdued brilliance. This film isn't easy to watch but as an essay on loneliness of 'misfits' it provokes thought without offering you any form of easy answers.

Not Vincent's best on this one.......2006-02-19

This is a clear example when artistic films are taken to the edge, where they become tasteless and unemotionally stimulating. The charecters are far from being accepted as people that are dis-illusioned by love.

Buffalo 66 is an artistic film and you can clearly see a story worth appreciating unlike Brown Bunny so i feel it's overdone on the Arty Filming.

Worst.Film.Ever........2006-01-29

An incredibly boring film. Artistic films should have some meaning to them, where as this was obvious and shallow at all times. More than half the films run time is a shot of the star of the film driving his van in complete silence while doing nothing.

I would have given it zero stars ut it wouldnt let me.

A surprising masterpiece.......2006-01-15

I came across this film by chance and saw it without realising the controversy that surrounded it. I was rewarded with a classic tale of lost love, loneliness and heartbreak set in a journey across America. As Bud Clay takes to the road, so we begin to share glimpses of his loss. The sound composition, photography, and soundtrack combine beautifully to represent the awkward story that unfolds, and the time that it exists in.

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