Matt Shea
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Morgan Bell
Cibbuano
David O'Connell
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Atonement
January 6th 2008 23:03
Upset? Read my followup post, Why I Hate Atonement, for a long-winded article about the aspects of the movie that made me want to leave the theatre and shriek at the movie posters in the lobby.
I just wanted to get that out, in case there was any confusion. Out of all the movies that I've seen this year, I think this is easily the most tedious, the most pretentious, the most inane of them all. It's based on a Booker-shortlisted novel by Ian McEwan, and I have no doubt that the novel is probably an excellent read.
The movie, though? My opinion is that it's absolute garbage.
But I'm the only one, it would appear... Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 84% approval rating, and Metacritic slaps it with an 85%.
I've been writing on this site for almost two years now, and I've learned that, when I criticize a movie that a lot of people like, I'm bound to get angry, flaming comments all over the site. But I can't help it.
Generally, I try only to go to movies that I think that I'll like, and I'm fortunate to attend previews for a lot of the movies that I'm rabidly expecting. Sometimes, they disappoint. That's the business.
But this is the first time, in several years, that I've been so infuriated with a movie that, halfway through, I wanted to stand up, yell obscenities at the screen, then leave the theatre. To make matters worse, I paid to see this movie, going out with friends, on my own time.
C'est la vie... that's one of the beauties of life, that a two-hour movie can simultaneously thrill 85% of the population and leave me with a vile, black mood.
My rancid vitriol for "Atonement" is so strong that I'm committing an entire post to Why I Don't Like Atonement.
This review, on the other hand, is just a place for me to let off some steam.
After the movie, I avoided disclosing my opinion to my friends, as most of them seemed to have positive opinions. I sat there, stunned, listening in on 5 middle-aged audience members talking about it.
"That was fabulous, I thought... really well done," a well-dressed man stated.
"Oh, me too. Such beautiful imagery, and so vivid!" gushed his female companion.
The others were quick to heap praise on the movie, dropping words like 'stunning cinematography' and 'aesthetics'. One lady stood there silently and someone inevitably asked her what she thought.
'I didn't enjoy it at all,' she stated flatly, which brought down the triumphant highs of her friends. I was tempted to go over there and shake her hand with enthusiasm, bonding with her over out mutual dislike of "Atonement".
It's movie that feels like it was made to win some Oscars, and it probably will. I posted earlier on how movies set in 18th century England are destined to win praise, at least a 'Best Costume' award. "Atonement" looks even more ambitious, hoping to get accolades for the washed-up-fish-style acting of Keira Knightley. I'm adding this movie to my short list of movies that I'll gnaw my own ankle to avoid.
I say: Look, you've probably already seen it, and loved it. Most people seem to find it entertaining, and I'll inevitably end up sitting through conversations that start with 'Didn't you just love "Atonement"?'. If you haven't seen it, I'd urge you to go watch it, and I hope you hate it as much as I did, so that we'll have something in common. Maybe we can start a club.
See it for: Some of the acting is ok, most notably from male lead, James McAvoy. And there are three or four moments of humour which made me laugh, thankfully.
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Comment by Joanne Fedler
Love a person who speaks straight.
Jo
Comment by Cibbuano
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Jo
Comment by Tracy
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I didn't hate it but I didn't particularly rate it either. Here's my review with some of my complaints.
I think it is great that you stated in the beginning that you hated the film. Sometimes I feel bad when I see a film and don't like it, and wonder whether I should just say that in a review. So I tend to say something like it, with reasons why. After all, it's a blog...and we can speak (relatively) freely.
On that speaking freely path, I can't stand Keira-I-have-lots-of-teeth-Kn ightly.
Interesting post.
Tracy
PS What did you think of the flashbacks?
Comment by Cibbuano
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The nonlinear script bounces back and forth as a artificial method to create mystery. I find this to be a poor method of seeming creative or innovative...
Comment by Tracy
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I also think KK is a weak actor and I can't understand why she's so famous. Yep, she's pretty, but surely there's more to being an actor than that? Ech, I have to remember that we live in a visual world, it matters a lot especially when fanous. So I have answered my own gripe. It's good to let it out though.
Comment by Cibbuano
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In contrast, I watched Almodovar's All About My Mother last night...
...the lead actress, Cecilia Roth, was outstanding... conveyed such pain and tragedy. Whoa... that movie is a fantastic tribute to the strength of women, as most Almodovar movies seem to be...
Comment by Damo
It has Chic Flick Coodies eminating in all directions.
When the add comes on television I change channel incase my wife sees it and I get the "Why don't ge to see that?" question.
When we drive past a billboard I point at something in the opposite direction.
So fear not.
There is an undergrond of people who are planning to bury this film.
So if you hate it then hate it with a passion.
Comment by Cibbuano
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"Atonement", on the other hand, contains a lot of talent and artistry.. of particular note is the 5 minute continuous tracking shot along a beach in France. Many reviewers point to this scene as the cinematic climax of the film.
It's got a lot of skill in the movie: complicated camera movement, beautiful set design, sneaky framing, poignant direction, etc. Certainly, this isn't an empty film.
My issue with the film is that all of this skill is exhibited as "Look what I can do!", as opposed to contributing to the story. Indeed, I felt that the story floated in the back seat.
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Comment by Wayne F
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Atonement sounds like it's going to be one of those random movies everyone loves and I can't believe people and saying it was one of the greatest movies of 2007. They forgot kick ass movies like Transformers and Die Hard 4. I shall watch this movie Cibbuano and if I hate it, then I will let the world know it!
Comment by D. Armenta
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Many are the times I have played the part of the turd in the punchbowl by stating " I didn't like that at all" when everyone else was singing praises..
Your honesty is highly appreciated!
Comment by Tracy
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All About my Mother is on my list to see, but have only stopped because it looks sad. It was made when things were a bit hard, so I was hesitant.There's nothing stopping me now though, just time.
It's on my list...as I write I can see the DVD cover, amazing how vivid it is.
Tracy
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Wayne, thanks for your comment! See it, if nothing else, to see what the fuss is all about.
D, ha ha! Turd in the punchbowl! eww, I hope that never really happens...
Tracy, I can only recommend it. If we ever meet, I'll lend it to you. What a beautifully powerful movie! After watching it, I felt, for once, a little sad that I didn't belong to the sisterhood of women. Almodovar worships women!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thank-you for you offer, that's very kind. I'll let you know what I think when I see it.
Tracy
PS I'm sure we will meet one of these days..
Comment by Paul Martin
I could have walked out at any point. I found the acting poor, though I blame that on the direction. The actors are only doing what's asked of them. I couldn't stand Knightly and nor could I stand McAvoy. They both seemed so theatrical and melodramatic. The film was clearly designed to appeal to Oscars and reminded me heavily of The English Patient in that respect.
The beach scene was like a music video clip, completely contrived and self-conscious ("Look at me! Look at me!"). Most of the film was contrived like a stage play, with so many props arranged as if on a stage. The under-water scenes were too repetitive. The ending was too clever (as if it'd never been done before), and was also too abrupt. There was virtually not a single element that I didn't find annoying. Even the good elements were annoying, because they demonstrated how this film could have been good.
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Comment by Miswanderlust
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Call me shallow but I was only going to see it for James McAvoy. The premise really didn't blow my skirt up. Sounds like this one will be saved for NetFlix when it comes out on video.
Mis
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Comment by JayD978
I was appalled when I read numerous reviews all praising this horrible film.
I think most people were terribly biased due to the fact that they read the novel, but then I couldn't help but wonder, if the book was as gloriously written as people said it was, why would they actually think the film did it justice? I personally did not read the book. The film was visually stunning, and I was impressed by its meticulous and unique attention to detail, how the rhythm of the typewriter was incorporated into the musical score, the way in which events are revealed so that they are shown from different character's points of view. The story in its most rudimentary form has substance and is interesting, and the movie does a decent job in playing it all out for the first 40 minutes or so of the film, after that it all goes miserably wrong. The story has foundation but the way in which it is executed is tediously pointless and endlessly uninspiring. Atonement is not fully a love story, and it is not fully a story of redemption, it is however entirely futile. The two main character's devotion to one another seems unreasonable due to the fact that their so called "love," was nothing but a lusty encounter in a library. Their love story is never fully realized, it is so fleeting it almost seems criminal to consider the film a "love story." I understand that one must read between the lines, and that the impact of subtlety should not be forgotten but Atonement is subtle in the worst way possible, the plot has no meat to it, as a viewer you keep anticipating a climax that fails to exist. In the end it is a miserable film, all of the characters lack depth. No character in the film is fully developed into someone viewers can relate to. The end evokes no emotion, and is very unoriginal. After watching this film, my family and I made a joke that we had atoned for our sins by having to waste two and half hours of our lives watching this film!
In case I wasn't blunt enough, let me be more succinct, DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM, YOU WILL REGRET IT.
Comment by Debbs
I think you enjoyed it more than I did. LOL.
I kept waiting to see love. I must have missed it.
I kept waiting to find one of the characters likeable. I did feel for the French soldier who died, but that's it.
It was really one of the worst movies I have ever seen and I tend to love movies of that sort.
Watching it did make me appreciate another movie I rented, Rendition...It was much better, but not without some other problems. I won't go into that here.
While I did not enjoy the movie at all, I do not regret watching it, because I like to know something about all the movies that get Oscar or Golden Globe attention.
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20/20 Filmsight