 |
 |
|
|
buying more than one thing? (uses Multi-Item Price Optimization™) ...or |
||
 |
 |
intereact!Actors: Keira Knightley, James Mcavoy, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, and Harriet Walter
Rated: R (Restricted)
Retail Price (not our price): $29.98
Release Date: 2008-03-18
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 123 minutes
Format: Array
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Discs: 1
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Director Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) gives Ian McEwan's bestselling novel a sumptuous treatment for the screen that should come to be regarded as one of the defining films of the epic romantic drama. Indeed, everything about this film stems from those three words: there is little here that is not epic, romantic, and dramatic, and Atonement is a film that masterfully expresses the overarching sense of adventure and emotion that such stories are meant to convey. In this instance, the story centers around the love story of highborn Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and housekeeper's son Robbie Turner (James McAvoy, in a star-making turn), in England shortly before World War II. Despite their class differences, they are powerfully attracted to each other, and just as their relationship begins Robbie is tragically forced away due to false accusations from Cecilia's younger sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan). She has a crush on Robbie, too, and after reading a private letter he sent to Cecilia, and then witnessing the first expression of their mutual love but mistaking it for mistreatment, her resentment grows until it leads to her telling the lie that will send Robbie away. Soon World War II breaks out; Robbie enlists and is posted to France, Cecilia is a nurse in London, and Briony, now age 18 and aware of what she has done, tries to atone for her actions--but none of them will be able to get back what they have lost. Knightley and McAvoy are perfectly cast as the young star crossed lovers, and the young Ronan is particularly impressive, but it's clear that the real star of this film is the director. Wright allows Atonement to revel in every moment of its story and each scene is compelling in its own way, but that now famous extended shot with Robbie on the beach at Dunkirk--filmed in one take and sure to be considered one of the great long tracking shots in film history--is the most memorable moment in this remarkable film. Atonement is an excellent example of what can happen when a great book meets great filmmaking. This is one that is not to be missed. --Daniel VanciniStills from Atonement (click for larger image).2) Product Description
From the award-winning director of Pride & Prejudice comes a stunning, critically acclaimed epic story of love. When a young girl catches her sister in a passionate embrace with a childhood friend, her jealousy drives her to tell a lie that will change the course of all their lives forever. Academy Award® nominee Keira Knightley and James McAvoy lead an all-star cast in the film critics are calling "the year's best picture" (Thelma Adams, US Weekly).
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
1) A good description of collective tragedy that fails to portrait intimate ones [Rating: 3 out of 5]
The movie is good if one considers it almost as a portrait, first an idyllic view of high-class English country house life in the 30's, then of war as a collective tragedy. The scenes of the English retreat on the French coast and at the war hospital are really touching and moving, effectively portraying the miseries of war. However, as valuable as they are on a stand alone basis, they seem, in some way, not truly connected into the plot.Telling the story from different points of view, is also an interesting recourse that, during the first minutes, leads one to hope that the story will deliver much more than what it finally does. The problem is that the movie almost completely fails when trying to convey the characters' personal tragedies. With the exception of the actress that plays Brioney as a young woman during war-time, who is decidedly awful (peformance full of soap opera ticks), all other actors are, at least, correct in their roles (Vanessa Redgrave's last minutes are superb), but the film fails to arise any emotions, characters are very schematically described and the whole love story is always distant and cold. Only V.R.'s last minutes are succesful in transmitting intimate tragedy, but the rest of the film (with the exception of the English retreat) is, perhaps, a too high price to pay for just these few enjoyable moments.2) Beautifully told story, gorgeous cinematography, but insufficient romance... [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) is an aspiring writer who has completed her very first play. Eager to act it out to everyone, she is disappointed that her cousins seem not so enthusiastic about it and there are other things going on in her household that take the attention away from her unique accomplishment. She has a crush on Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the housekeeper's son, and she is not too thrilled when she sees something from her window. It appears there is something going on between her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie, and this is further confirmed when she reads a letter from Robbie to Cecilia, a rather explicit letter that he hadn't meant to send out in the first place. What transpires is a story of betrayal, misunderstanding and deception, one in which two young lovers are torn apart and live tragic lives. Actions have consequences, and Briony, now eighteen (played by Ramola Garai) is living it. Will she be able to make things right for Cecelia and Robbie? Will she be forgiven and, in turn, find peace?The film is absolutely beautiful. Joe Wright, whose work I'd seen previously in Pride & Prejudice, has an eye for beautiful landscapes and overall flawless cinematography. The setting (mid to late 1930s, amid the dawn of WWII), the costumes and scenery are gorgeous. The script is fairly faithful to the book, much more faithful than the director and screenwriter had been with P&P, where they took far too much artistic license. The acting is wonderful as well. I am officially a big fan of James McAvoy. Not only is the Scottish actor extremely attractive, but he is also a wonderful actor. I had seen him in Becoming Jane and The Last King of Scotland, and this further proves that he is talented man with a promising Hollywood career. As for Keira Knightley... It's not that I don't like her, or that I think she's a bad actress, but I simply cannot understand her. Literally, I cannot understand half the words that come out of her pouty little mouth. She talks too fast, and kind of mumbles, and I have to turn on the DVD's subtitles in order to grasp her words. I don't usually have a difficult time understanding the various British accents, so I think it is more a matter of a diction problem from her. Other than that, I think she did a fine job as well. The film moved me, and I was saddened by its poignant ending. The one thing I complain about is that Cecelia and Robbie were not together long enough to make me believe in this star-crossed romance and intense love for each other. I simply didn't see enough of it on the screen. I know the purpose is that they did not get to spend enough time together, and that they had been torn apart before the romance could begin, but still.The DVD is good. It surprised me that the film has an analog 1.85 widescreen format instead of the smaller 2.35 aspect ratio, which I would have preferred (image is clearer and sharper). I enjoyed the deleted scenes and commentary. All in all, Atonement is a wonderful film. It deserved all of the award nominations it has received and this is one DVD I'll be watching over and over again.3) looked having read the book [Rating: 4 out of 5]
The English countryside is beautiful in HD. Such a feast for the eyes, a shame it couldn't have comprised more of the film. I knew it wouldn't from the book but was hoping the movie could extend the prewar period. When I heard this movie was being made I thought, uh, oh, a lot of people will not like the ending. I admire the choice of Vanessa Redgrave as old Birony, nice touch. The look and feel of the film is reminicent of Merchant/Ivory, so if you like them, you will enjoy this one. Even though I knew that four letter word would be included (it had to be) it still came as a shock, just as it did in the book. I minused one star in my review simply because Keira Knightley overdid the accent. I realize the British spoke back then in fast, clipped speech but I wish she would have spoken clearer. Several of her lines were difficult to understand. However, she did an otherwise fabulous job and never have I seen a woman in a bathing cap look so gorgeous and the green dress suited her beyond words. I give my compliments to the director for making Dunkirk look so amazingly real. The beach scene needs to be seen to be believed, memorable. A touching film which reminds that sometimes one vindictive action can haunt the perpetrator forever.4) Hollywood Film Masquerades as Indie [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Ok, there is definitely some fantastic work in this film. Music (A+), Acting (A); however, whoever wrote this adapted screenplay should be roasted over an open fire. Also, what is with this lame half-twist ending deal...I mean, even M. Night Shyamalan thinks that ending is bogus. The fact that Christopher Hampton received an OSCAR nomination for best writing tells me this was a poor year for writing. It did however deserve the win for best original score. Brilliant music!I will say this for the film, the cinematography was very good, especially that very long tracking shot on the beach. I was very impressed with it. At points, I was expecting to hear Keira Knightley say, "Mr. Darcy!!" so a little Pride and Prejudice-y at points.Overall a good attempt at a "Hollywood indie" but to me this film needed someone else to handle the writing to make it a great piece. I would definitely recommend seeing the film, but the Best Picture nomination was a little much.4 stars.5) Disappointment [Rating: 2 out of 5]
Couldn't understand what the British actors were saying and it jumped from one year to the next with no explanation. I had high hopes, but thought it was very mediocre.