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Atonement (Wright, 2007)
Oh wow. Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow.
Maybe I simply wasn't prepared. My expectations were lower than they should have been. I was least looking forward to this at the Best Picture showcase on Saturday. I was certain I'd sleep through it.
Maybe my low expectations going in, has distorted my perception of the movie going out.
Atonement is a masterpiece. A beautifully crafted story about regret, love found, and love never to be had.
Briony Tallis is 13 years old. She is an aspiring writer and has a crush on the gardener, Robbie. Unfortunately, Robbie is 18 years old, and in love with Briony's sister Cecilia.
After a series of odd events that confuse Briony and leave her head spinning, she accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Robbie is sent away to prison, and the Tallis family is left in scattered pieces. Never to be the same again.
I've cried at movies. Stuff like American History X and Saving Private Ryan...the kind of movies it's "acceptable" for a guy to cry at. I have no problem admitting that Atonement had me in pieces. Pure poetry put to screen. The separation combined with little time spent together didn't matter. Cecilia and Robbie loved each other. They didn't need an infinite amount of time together to realize that, and they never stopped.
There are a few beautiful scenes I'd like to talk about. The first time I teared up was when Robbie is at war, three and a half years after the incident, he's strolling through a restaurant. He looks over and spots Cecilia. He takes a step back and walks the other way. He isn't sure it's her and he's not sure he could take it even if it was. He pivots and walks back by. Cecilia standing gazing hoping he would turn back and confirm it was indeed him.
The look on Keira's face. The punch to the stomach that Robbie receives hits him hard and penetrates straight through to the audience.
There's another beautifully shot scene that left me inexplicably gut-wrenched.
Robbie and two of his comrades stroll on to a beach during the war. Nothing violent going on. One shot, no cuts, for about 10 minutes. They walk through this scene where carnival rides are. Soldiers standing under a gazebo, singing. A ferris wheel spins in the background, a soldier grasping for dear life after he's fallen from his seat, etc.
Just immense power in that scene.
Something to be experienced, not viewed, Atonement is the 2007 Best Picture. I will be elated if it wins.
10/10
Oh wow. Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow.
Maybe I simply wasn't prepared. My expectations were lower than they should have been. I was least looking forward to this at the Best Picture showcase on Saturday. I was certain I'd sleep through it.
Maybe my low expectations going in, has distorted my perception of the movie going out.
Atonement is a masterpiece. A beautifully crafted story about regret, love found, and love never to be had.
Briony Tallis is 13 years old. She is an aspiring writer and has a crush on the gardener, Robbie. Unfortunately, Robbie is 18 years old, and in love with Briony's sister Cecilia.
After a series of odd events that confuse Briony and leave her head spinning, she accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Robbie is sent away to prison, and the Tallis family is left in scattered pieces. Never to be the same again.
I've cried at movies. Stuff like American History X and Saving Private Ryan...the kind of movies it's "acceptable" for a guy to cry at. I have no problem admitting that Atonement had me in pieces. Pure poetry put to screen. The separation combined with little time spent together didn't matter. Cecilia and Robbie loved each other. They didn't need an infinite amount of time together to realize that, and they never stopped.
There are a few beautiful scenes I'd like to talk about. The first time I teared up was when Robbie is at war, three and a half years after the incident, he's strolling through a restaurant. He looks over and spots Cecilia. He takes a step back and walks the other way. He isn't sure it's her and he's not sure he could take it even if it was. He pivots and walks back by. Cecilia standing gazing hoping he would turn back and confirm it was indeed him.
The look on Keira's face. The punch to the stomach that Robbie receives hits him hard and penetrates straight through to the audience.
There's another beautifully shot scene that left me inexplicably gut-wrenched.
Robbie and two of his comrades stroll on to a beach during the war. Nothing violent going on. One shot, no cuts, for about 10 minutes. They walk through this scene where carnival rides are. Soldiers standing under a gazebo, singing. A ferris wheel spins in the background, a soldier grasping for dear life after he's fallen from his seat, etc.
Just immense power in that scene.
Something to be experienced, not viewed, Atonement is the 2007 Best Picture. I will be elated if it wins.
10/10