Lush cinematography, underdeveloped story

Rating: 5/10 (17 April 2008)

This movie wasn't awful, but it relied on too many "tricks" of flashback and closeup angles to try and disguise it as great cinema. The first part of the film was okay, but honestly didn't spend nearly enough time developing the characters of Keira Knightley or her lover, to make their love story plausible. Just lots of long looks and confusing sexual tension, and an absurd scene where Keira Knightley strips down to her knickers to dive into a fountain to retrieve part of a vase that got broken, right in front of the servant lover. In broad daylight no less. Even if the affair were true, any young woman of high status at that time would never imagine doing such a thing. Discretion would be a main priority. I just couldn't really care about these characters - Briony for her ineptitude and selfishness, and Keira Knightley and her lover (can't remember the actor's name) for their lack of chemistry. Honestly, they borrowed the sex scene right out of The English Patient, which I think was the feeling and greatness they were hoping to achieve, but they didn't get there. Better films of this genre include the above and also "The End of the Affair" with Julianne Moore and Ralph Fiennes. Also check out the old "Brief Encounter" by director David Lean.