Cheap Cds - Atonement [2007]

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Customer Rating:

Summary: IF ONLY THERE WERE MORE FILMS LIKE THIS....
Comment: Redcar never looked so good!!!

Sorry,I know it is a cheap shot, but this film has got
to be the one that got away from the 2008 oscars. As near to perfect in script, narrative,
cinematography, acting as it could be....need I go on? It is a fine work of imagination and with
emotive power and resonance; something greatly lacking in many contemporary films.
It is not a
film for the historical purist or one wanting complete socio-cultural accuracy in the period
drama.It is even better on second or third viewing. Most films aren't "growers" like "Withnail and I
" or "Fanny and Alexander". This is. Buy or rent it now. But if you can see it on the big screen ,
all the better because it is superb and blu-ray/hd-dvd can not match up to that expereience!

Customer Rating:

Summary: Beautiful, but empty.
Comment: Strangely enough, I feel exactly the same way about this film as I do about the source material.
Like the book, this film is aesthetically pleasing. It is poetically shot, the performances from
the cast are astonishing, especially the three Briony's. There is a sense of foreboding as the film
starts in a everyday home, as the haunting score by award winning Dario Marianelli sweeps in. The
costumes are beautiful, and the image of Keira Knightley in her stunning green gown will probably
never leave me.

There is a lot to see here, but the film's short-comings are through no
fault of the film makers who have created probably the perfect adaptation, but the source material.
Ian McEwan's novel of the same name is a beautifully written book, full of Latinate language and
lush imagery. McEwan's failure is to come up with not only an engaging story, but to flesh out the
characters that could make the plot work. He failed on both counts. And so, ever so loyally, the
novel is adapted to screen, and the exact same problems are translated there. There was not one
unconvincing performance in the entire film; Keira Knightley and James McAvoy did all that they can,
which was more than enough (and definitely Keira's best performance since Pride & Prejudice) but the
characters are somewhat mechanical. Characterisation is neglected; motivations are one dimensional;
emotional engagement with the protagonists is a real effort.

The ending is technically
tragic, and potentially upsetting, but you may sit there and wonder why you are not saddened by the
ending. It is probably because you do not care, and the fault would not lay with you. When I left
the cinema with my friend we looked at each other and we knew how we both felt - absolutely nothing.
It was not a bad film, but it is so soulless. I did not feel sad, I did not feel happy, I did not
care, I did not laugh, I did not cry. I felt absolutely nothing. All I know is that this film
produced a fantastic score which certainly evokes emotions on its own, especially 'Elegy For
Dunkirk'.

Your enjoyment of this film wholly depends on what you look for in a film.
Film critics have gone wild over this film, and it is of little wonder. Film critics who look for
more than the entertainment factor (and sometimes do not consider it at all) in films notice other
things that the mass audience probably just will not be interested in. The four minute scene
spanning Robbie on the beach at Dunkirk probably bores most people, for the film critic the scene is
endlessly interesting. I'd recommend this film to avid film goers who know a lot about cinema and
its dynamics, or perhaps film students. For the person who wants to stay in on a Saturday night and
be entertained this film probably is not for them, as on a fully engagement and entertainment
criteria, this film is rather empty.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent British film to compare with the best of Hollywood
Comment: I haven't read the book but I still really enjoyed this film which I thought really evoked a sense
of period. I also wasn't aware of director Joe Wright's work on Pride and Prejudice but this makes
perfect sense as this is just as much a costume drama, albeit a rather more recent one. The opening
section of the film, set in a country house during a hot summer, was beautifully created. However,
this protected little world soon gives way to the wider world and the horrors of war at Dunkirk,
which is also successfully portrayed. The cinematography is stunning throughout, every shot is
beautifully framed - I lost count of the number of times my wife or I gasped as another perfectly
proportioned frame appeared on the screen. The sound I also thought was outstanding.

I
thought the acting was excellent, both from the main characters and the supporting cast, especially
Saoirse Ronan as the young Briony. Although I agree with others that I felt little empathy with
either James McAvoy or Keira Knightley's characters, probably because of their clipped dialogue and
stiff upper lips which may have reflected the period but did little to endear them to you. />
Although I personally prefer a straight-forward narrative I thought that telling of this
story was very good, the twists and turns that we are party to throughout make perfect sense to
explain the confusion of the young narrator. I also thought that the twist at the end was slightly
unsatisfactory. All in all though a very good British film, reminiscent of a Thomas Hardy story,
which should appeal to an international audience.

Customer Rating:

Summary: I'm still not sure about this one
Comment: In a nutshell, the book is ten times, a hundred times better than the film. The book has depth,
slight of hand and certain characters fizz against each other. The film has none of this. This is a
real slight against the film, but the best bit for me? The "how the film was made" extra on the DVD.
I am glad I saw the film, but not something that when it comes up on the telly one Sunday afternoon
in the future that I will watch again.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Different...
Comment: This is not my usual type of movie. I would file it in the artsy category. Having said that I
thoroughly enjoyed it. The style of the film, with its flash backs and replays of events from
different perspectives can, if your brain works like mine, leave you wondering what's going on.
However, once you get the hang of it, I think it enhances the overall effect.
The ending is
wonderful. Wonderful but sad.
I haven't read the book, so can't commment on how true the film
is.
I will say, having watched the film, I'm going to read the book!
From reading some
of the previous reviews, this movie will not leave you feeling neutral. I think it is a gem, and my
favourite genres are action/adventure & sci-fi.
Take a risk, you might not be as disappointed
as some reviewers indicate!

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