Atonement: The Movie

I knew nothing about the book and had only seen the television ads. I avoided seeing the movie because it seemed like a standard, sappy costume romance set in World War II. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy are both popular and attractive young actors and this seemed like just another Hollywood star vehicle. I finally saw it on cable TV and was blown away. Ian McEwan's novel is dark and complex and the movie does not dumb it down. That is probably because Ian McEwan was the executive producer.

Because the movie presents several different points of view and uses a non-linear narrative structure, the viewer must pay close attention. It is the kind of film that benefits from multiple viewings to appreciate the details and help make connections that may have been missed the first time. It also prompts thought and grows deeper with discussion and debate. The R rating is very appropriate as it deals with adult issues and contains a very passionate sex scene, though minimally graphic.

Dario Marianelli won the Oscar for Best Original Score for Atonement. The soundtrack builds the emotion and adds to the tension and atmosphere of this movie. It also uses some unique musical devices. The most noticeable is the use of the percussive sound of manual typewriter keys. This supports the period, main character, and a central theme of the film. Briony is a budding young writer with a vivid and romantic imagination. The typewriter is her tool. It also represents the power of words to shape our understanding and perceptions of the truth.