Pretty pictures and a director that ruined the story

Rating: 2/10 (24 December 2007)

I bet this was a great novel. Sadly, though, it didn't translate. The director wastes a lot of time on plot that has nothing to do with anything (the play that Briony writes? what a waste) and as a result doesn't have the time to give us the character development and blossoming love that make the actual underpinnings of a love story.
I still have no idea why the two characters loved each other. We weren't even given a montage to let us know they had spent time together in ways that would show their love.
Similarly, we never get to understand Briony's growth. By the end, I don't know why she sought atonement.
For all the romance-novel weepies out there, I'm sure they can just take all that as writ and have themselves a good heart-tugging cry. I myself expect a director to reveal characters to me and engender emotion in me, rather than just expect me to make it up out of nothing.
On the level of craft, though, this movie was splendid. Beautiful shots, gorgeous scenery, nice-looking stars and crisp sound (and a nicely understated soundtrack that didn't insist on telling you how to feel ever moment). The two leads probably are quite talented, but here, they had almost nothing to do except mug a bit.
It's too bad all of that was wasted, because if the director didn't force us to assume so much of the important events in the story (I seem to recall that love stories should actually have scenes that show you the people falling and being in love), this could have been powerful and moving.
As it was, I was yelling at the screen and feeling nothing toward any of them. I was cheated.