not good enough

Rating: 3/10 (16 January 2008)

Yes I read and was very moved by the book quite some time before the movie (I read many novels) yet, its quite strange, because it wasn't until Briony was foundering as a nurse and giving the impression of wanting 'to atone' , that I thought 'oh my gosh I've already read this'.
This is a strange choice for big or small movie awards and rather disappointing the quality could not be upped from the usual British TV historical period pieces. The costumes are all there. Is it so hard to add personalities with which the audience would have some empathy? What a motley crew overall - generally reasonable functional, well-dressed actors in an elegant cinematic setting. Many in my theatre were looking at their watches and they don't go for bells and whistles.
I have a great love of the cinema and am bemused by the overreaction to such mediocrity.