Knightly overrated, McAvoy shines.

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2008)

A very fascinating film. I'm kind of left still thinking about it. Honestly, it's a pretty devastating film to watch. Definitely, a film to remember. James McAvoy is without a doubt the main standout, nothing against Keira Knightly. But, McAvoy's performance really stood out to me.
I'm also left really creeped out by some of the characters involved. Especially, the characters of Lola & Paul Marshall ( who was the real rapist). Much is said about Briony's guilt, and yet Lola allows Robbie to take the blame as well, when she knows very well that it was Marshall who raped her. Or did he? Of course, we are only seeing things from Briony's view...but in the scenes between Lola and Marshall they are very openly flirting, not to mention the underhanded comments about how Lola wants to be more grown up and is trying to act like and adult. Of course-Lola ends up marrying her 'attacker' Marshall.....
Briony? Is she nothing more than a self-absorbed liar? I was really affected by Romola Garai's performance as the 18 year old nurse Briony. She really took up the young, naive, jealous, selfish 13 year old Briony (Saoirse Ronan) mannerisms, the way she talked etc. Garai is such an under-rated actress. I've liked her since I saw her in I Capture the Castle. She was also most recently in Amazing Grace. A very subtle actress, but in just one second or scene she can still manage to break your heart, it's all in the eyes.
Perhaps the most known scene of the film, is the one-take sequence of Dunkirk, which is nothing short of astonishing. Not just the look and feel of it, but the music of the scene as well. The connection among the soldiers. Especially when they sing hauntingly in the background. Tears your heart out.