Friday, December 21, 2007
My Bone with Atonement
Atonement is the leading Oscar bait this Christmas season from what I can tell. This is not a review as much as it is a bone I am picking with the film. Basically, it didn't go far enough.
There are two marvelous mini-Rashomon sequences, a jaw-dropping tracking shot at the battle of Dunkirk and a very intriguing last reel ending with one of the finest actresses of the past half century. But this is not enough.
The two flash forward sequences that are first shown through the eyes of a 13 year old girl are strong and able achievements in form, but then comes long trod of narrative until we get to the super Touch of Evil like tracking shot. And then guess what? More plot about characters I actually cared less for by the film's end.
But is this time wasted? No. A couple of monster cinematic moments are worth an afternoon, especially when these were executed as well as they were here. But one wishes the screenwriters and directors here would have pushed a little harder, tried some more experimentations with tone and form. Part of the problem might have been the setting and caste of the characters. It is hard for me to empathize or care much about the English upper class, even if it was circumstances that put them in the crummy situations they find themselves in. Looking forward to my next connection with holiday movie pre-Oscar season and hope more stays in flight.
posted by well-executed buffet at 11:45 PM
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