Review of Atonement (2007) by David F — 09 Mar 2012
If the whole of ATONEMENT lived up to the first third of the film, this might well have been a truly remarkable film. Beautifully filmed and designed, with compelling performances and a fantastic score, the problem comes in the film's second act, where Christopher Hampton and Joe Wright lose sight of what makes the film so compelling and, indeed, an idea that is at the very heart of the film.
The switches in perspective employed so effectively earlier in the film are abandoned in favour of a more straightforward approach. Certainly, getting that concept to work during the war section of the film would be no mean feat, but I wish it had more that the glancing attempt that is left in the film, an echo from earlier drafts of the screenplay.
When the idea is reintroduced at the apparent climax of the film and in the final minutes during the interview with the oldest Briony, the dénouement seems too pat. And that's a pity, because that's is the last thing that atonement should be.
This review of Atonement (2007) was written by David F on 09 Mar 2012.
Atonement has generally received very positive reviews.
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