Atonement

a film by joe wright
based on the novel by ian mcewan

***
In the course of the holidays I've found myself with no DVDs left to watch (the ones that I like at least). I promised myself that I would try to catch my remaining "must-see" movies on the big screen and "Atonement" was one of them. But to be honest the film's February premiere here is a long time. So I've repeatedly checked the pirated-dvd havens, since October, for new arrivals hoping that finally someone generous enough has "duplicated" Atonement for mass consumption.

I got a copy and watched it last night
and it receives my acclaim.
***

I like Joe Wright's debut film "Pride & Prejudice" a lot. From the camera treatment, musical score, to the editing--the vision. Beautiful. I admired the way the camera panned and swooped down the characters and how the scenes, somewhat unconventional and seamless, transitioned. And with "Atonement" we see the similar treatments as well and more.

As the movie starts, we hear the reminiscent chirping of birds but instead of a beautiful dawn we hear the keys of a typewriter. And then you leave the real world for a couple of hours

to be absorbed by a story, powerful and immense--lingering, bitter & sweet.

This film deserves all the nominations it can get.

I have never read sir mcewan's novel. and I must say I regret not to have done so (and it is now on my urgent to-do's. I am reading his other novel "Amsterdam" in which I see storytelling that I care for to know, "What happens next?" eagerly but in a casual way. Subtle and delicate).
***

The way that the film used looping scenes on several occasions was a genius device. it magnifies the theme of "memory" in the story: On how we can all recall the same thing or remember something in the past but find it distorted by time and other causes.

The musical score is also superb. Piano notes blended with a typewriter's yacks builds such tension; piano and cello pieces towards the end stretches your breath and leaves you holding it for as long as you can and the distant voices of soldiers singing makes you yearn and hope for an end to a sullen longing.

***

The structure of the film moves on different timelines. It can be identified as having three parts wherein the final part serves as more of an epilogue. I will not expound much on the films plot and let the reader see it for themselves.

I'll only tell you how I gripped my seat and how the sadness rushed through me as I saw the waters chrashing through the tunnel. To see Briony old and dying


still having doubts
still not believing
that she has atoned for the sin she has done.

a sin foolish, almost innocent


and I believe her.

for she cannot possibly atone for it in full.

I even wonder if she can atone for it at all.