Wonderful

Rating: 9/10 (25 August 2008)

While it didn't hold as much power for me when viewed on DVD, compared to a theatre viewing, this is still an excellent work from director Joe Wright. I have read Ian McEwan's beautifully written, but nearly impossible to film, novel, and Wright really does an amazing job in bringing it to the screen. I have to argue with both camps who say its either about atoning for past wrongs or the perspective of the writer. Great works of literature and great films are rarely concerned with just one central theme- there are so many amazing parts to this film, and things to think about. The acting from an ensemble cast is throughly excellent. The young actress playing Briony got the Oscar nomination, but its Redgrave who really ties the threads together, and her appearance packs a huge emotional punch. That said, Romola Garai, one of my favourites, is unnervingly perfect as Briony, too. Knightley is growing into a better actress in leaps and bounds with each film, and McAvoy is the perfect Robbie.
I still think that the famous one-take beach scene is a piece of "showy" direction, but it doesn't really detract from the film overall. The film begins sort of like a Merchant-Ivory production (and I love those films!), with rich and beautiful English characters pondering over life while smoking copious amounts of cigarettes, which may be off-putting for some viewers. But it becomes something different entirely, and it really is wonderful. My favourite scene? McAvoy and Knightley's brief encounter in the tea shop. So poignant.