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This line is one of
the many reasons why I loved the movie Atonement more than the book it is based
on. Atonement was directed by Joe Wright and screenplay written by Christopher Hampton.
The Actors
The casting was
superb. Each actor brought life and personality to otherwise rather flat
characters. Briony became more vindictive through Saoirse Ronan and Cecilia
more mature through Keira Knightley. James McAvoy was not only extremely
handsome, but also extremely talented in the role. He applied the right amount
of anger, resignation, and hopefulness. Imagine my surprise in just now
recognizing Benedict Cumberbatch as the chocolate magnate and rapist during
what is probably my third viewing. I always thought Cumberbatch came out of
nowhere in the last few years.
THAT DRESS THO
Yes, the dress
deserves its own paragraph. That green dress is as elegant and beautiful as it
is hyped up to be. It is the most gorgeous emerald color and one of a kind. I
love how it floated and became somehow greener in each scene. I don't even like
the color green and I want that dress. So peeved I couldn't find a picture
showcasing the high split up the middle.
The Differences
The explanation of
Paul Marshall's scratch- the book only mentioned it with no explanation while
in the movie, Paul Marshall said he obtained the scare while trying to wrestle
the twins off of torturing Lola (this, however, is the only indication that Paul
Marshall was rough with Lola and maybe even sexually assaulted her earlier in
the day).
There were scenes
that were slightly improved like Robbie and Cecilia meeting in the restaurant.
It was less awkward and more heartfelt, perhaps because it was mainly
description in the book and the movie wanted to play up the romance. The scene
where Briony goes to see Cecilia at her apartment and Robbie is there is
enhanced by the simple line that I opened this post with, "How old do you
have to be to know the difference between right and wrong?" and Robbie's
persistent questioning. James McAvoy acted out all the frustration I felt with
Briony and I was thankful for it.
The end is
completely different and I liked it so much better. In the movie, Briony is
giving an interview and
she admits to changing the fate of Cecilia and Robbie
and I can see the regret and humility. One thing that bothered me about the end
of the novel was Briony's cavalier attitude about rewriting history, believing
that the truth is far too depressing for the reader and it wouldn't matter that
she gave the couple a happy ending because it would essentially be the only
account of this story. She surmised that she couldn't find true atonement in
writing the story because no author can find atonement when they can play God.
I absolutely hate this line of thinking. However, in the movie, she only
mentioned that she changed the ending as an act of kindness to the couple so
that they can be together forever in the written word and I think this is a
much, much better explanation. It helped that this scene was followed by the
couple at the cottage that they dreamed of going to together.
*The library scene
gets an honorable mention. I know I laugh at the most inappropriate things, but
I can't help but chuckle when Cecilia realizes someone has walked in and they
have been caught and Briony squeaks out her name, and then Robbie and Cecilia
calmly pull themselves together and smoothly walk out. Briony is obviously
traumatized but Cecilia and Robbie are just like- Newp, not touching that.
Somehow the movie
made me realize how overly ambitious the book was because it forced the movie
to be overly ambitious, however, it paid off in the movie where it did not in
the novel. The movie and the novel complement one another. They really do. The
book may have elements that I abhor, but it is the framework for the movie. The
war scene of the book made me appreciate how it was depicted in the movie
(which I apparently tuned out the first few times because I don't even remember
certain parts) and the movie drove home certain points of the book like the
hopelessness of absolving Robbie after Paul Marshall and Lola got married
(though this is somewhat negated since Robbie died before this anyway). The
beauty that is the cinematography and direction of the movie and the
descriptive prose almost makes up for my dislike of the chasms of flaws in the
storyline. Almost.
Despite all my
misgivings, the movie is still wondrously beautiful and one of my favorites. It
can be rented through Amazon
for $3.99 (at the time of this post, of course).
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| Beautiful scene from Atonement |
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