Atonement

2007

Director: Joe Wright

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Focus Features

Key Elements: Story - Visuals - Concept

My Review:

When I think of artistic endings, I think of Atonement. It blew me away.

The story relies too heavily on sex to convey romantic passion. Aside from that creative laziness, the movie is engrossing. It’s visuals are as stunning as its story is tragic.

Robbie and Cecilia’s star-crossed love is derailed when Cecilia’s little sister, Briony, misinterprets their sexual tension and draws the wrong conclusion about Robbie. It is this conclusion that compels her to mistakenly accuse Robbie of a terrible crime. This single act leads to a devastating future for all involved. The story concludes with a surprising twist (It surprised me at least.)

Analyzing the story, we can find several causes for what proves to be an ending more tragic than even that of Romeo and Juliet.

Briony should have respected her sister enough to stay out of her business. She also should have acknowledged that she really didn’t know what was going on between Cecelia and Robby, and she should have given the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to conclusions.

For their part, Cecelia and Robbie should have been more honest about their feelings for each other, instead of sneaking and creating a confusing tension for themselves and their families.

But I think the most interesting question we must ask is - Does Briony actually atone for what she did to Cecelia and Robbie? Are we as the viewer satisfied with that resolution?

Trailer:




Quotes:

• I saw him. I saw him with my own eyes.
• I love you. I'll wait for you. Come back. Come back to me.
• The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.
• There is no Briony.
• I am very, very sorry for the terrible distress that I have caused you. I am very, very sorry...
  - Write it all down. Just the truth. No rhymes, no embellishments, no adjectives. And then leave us be.
  I will. I promise.
• So, my sister and Robbie were never able to have the time together they both so longed for... and deserved. Which ever since I've... ever since I've always felt I prevented. But what sense of hope or satisfaction could a reader derive from an ending like that? So in the book, I wanted to give Robbie and Cecilia what they lost out on in life. I'd like to think this isn't weakness or... evasion... but a final act of kindness. I gave them their happiness.
• Robbie...
  - Cecilia...
  I love you...
  - I love you.

Stills: