Saturday, March 29, 2008

Atonement





"In this drama based on the critically acclaimed novel by Ian McEwan, a childhood lie irrevocably changes the lives of several people."
Netflix

My husband, John, and I first watched this movie a couple of weeks ago and watched it again last night. It's certainly the type of movie to watch more than once. This is one of the most provocative and heart-wrenching films that I've seen in ages. I have not read the novel so I knew only a little of the subject matter ( not for younger viewers). I was so taken with the cinematography and beauty of the costumes. Kiera Knightley's now infamous green dress ( as seen in one of the above photographs)is extraordinary! I will not write too much about the plot as to not spoil it for those who have not read the book or seen the film but I will comment that James McAvoy's performance as the ill-fated Robbie is nothing short of brilliant. He is fast becoming one of my favorite actors. I dare say that Kiera Knightley also surprised me in her role as Cecilia. She is a strikingly beautiful woman and her acting has certainly come a long way. The girl portraying young Briony, Saoirse Ronan, is astonishingly captivating and a true pleasure to watch. I have little doubt that we will be seeing this young girl in many more films to come. Another interesting fact about this film is that the scenes of the beautiful Tallis estate were actually filmed on location at Stokesay Court , an 1891 Manor House in Shropshire, England. The Production Company actually paid to renovate a large portion of the house just for the film. Extraordinary! Please take the time to go to http://www.stokesaycourt.com/ and visit Stokesay Court's Website. There, you can read about the history of this most interesting estate.

6 comments:

Dorothy said...

Hi Rebecca...Very nicely done...you have sparked an interest in the movie Atonement..I shall have to see it now...Love your pictures... I have been to the Biltmore House..I lived in Asheville when younger...Have a beautiful weekend..Dee Dee

Tess Kincaid said...

Saw this at the theater and just bought myself a copy this weekend. I am looking forward to watching it again. I thought the Dunkirk scene was absolutely amazing! Also enjoyed the way the typewriter "clickety clack" was incorporated into the score!

Tess Kincaid said...

ps~~there was a wonderful article in the New York Times (I think in Dec.) about the woman who owns Stokesay Court. Lovely story about how she inherited it.

Rebecca said...

Dee Dee, it is truly a thought provoking film. So beautifully filmed and moving beyond words.

Rebecca said...

Willow,

How are you this evening? Just finished watching Part 1 of Sense and Sensibility on Masterpiece Theater. I'm so partial to the version with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman but this version is quite good,too.

About the Dunkirk scene in Atonement, John and I have talked about this for days. I just read that New York Times article about the Manor- That certainly was interesting. Imagine learning that you had inherited that place.
I like the type-writer clickety clack as well..As a matter of fact, I think I'll pull that up on the site to listen to:-)

Tess Kincaid said...

Love that you added the "clickety clack" music to the blog!! :) PERFECT!!