Movie Review: Atonement

This movie came out last year and was nominated for a number of major Oscar Awards, such as Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay among others. It won for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score. I only got to see it last night after downloading it. The main reasons I want to watch this movie are because of the recognition it got when it was released (Oscar ain’t nothing), the plot that I’ve read about, it was a British film (love the accent) based on a British novel (with the same title, by Ian McEwan), and because of the actors in it, mainly Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.

The plot summary (from IMDb): A British romance that spans several decades. Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit.
IMDb labeled this film’s genre as Drama, Romance, and War.

I haven’t been overwhelmed by a movie in a long time, especially never in such a way that I almost couldn’t sleep. Atonement is such a painful movie. But it doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. This movie is one of the greatest I’ve seen. Dramas are really not on top of my preferred movie genres, but I want to try one from time to time. This tops my drama list. Although I didn’t shed a tear while watching, my heart, its innermost depth was definitely reached and I never could have imagined something so painful before.

It may seem odd that I liked a movie because it pained me. Yes, it was really sad and caused emotional aching but somehow it was “pleasurable” for me to get overwhelmed like that from watching a movie. It was just a movie after all. But it made me think, a lot. Only a powerful movie, and not because of any special effects, with one of the best writing, acting, cinematography, score and directing (Director is Joe Wright) could deliver such.

The director, Joe Wright, also directed the movie “Pride and Prejudice.” In Atonement, I really appreciate his detailed, meticulous way of telling the story. The cast delivered a first class acting. There was also one war scene (World War II) in the movie which I’ve read, could be “one of the best ever executed in cinematic history.” I agree though I won’t elaborate futher for spoilers’ sake. :) And to top it all, the ending could never have been guessed. Suprisingly unexpected.

I recommend this movie, especially to those who like deep movies. But if you just want to chill and watch a happy, entertaining movie, Atonement may not be the one for you for the mean time.

~ by Michelle on July 12, 2008.