Atonement

[aimcerda]

This movie was absolutely amazing. I especially loved the scene in the library, it was the most erotic sex scene I've ever seen, even though you couldn't see the whole sex act. The ending was fantastic and unexpected. I like how in the end Briony showed them together even though they were never given the chance to really be together. They both died while each was waiting or trying to get to the other. I recommend that people deffinently see this movie.

[tamidubois]

Just having to watch this movie-I felt like it was atonement for my past sins or something. It was boring and depressing. I felt the urgent need to go watch a comedy afterwards or go blow my brains out. Half of the moviegoers in the theater were saying the same thing as we were walking out. The only scene in the movie that was good was the beach scene during the war. The character Briony only comes clean with what she knows at the end of her life? Give me a break. I left the theater pissed off and not many movies have done that to me, no matter how bad they were.

[davidfrank]

I enjoyed the film quite a lot (not in my top 10 though)...However, I'm wondering if Briony has really changed or not by the film's end. It seems like she is still playing God. And I argue that she really hasn't atoned.

[bradbrevet]

Hmmmmm, I am happy to see tamidubois actually had reasons behind not liking it, and I have actually heard from other folks that simply didn't like it. One person told me they didn't like how the film jumped way into the future at the end. I told her how it actually had been in the "future" the entire time, which was the reasoning for the typing being added to the soundtrack (my argument didn't help).

It seems whether you like it or not depends on your acceptance of the ending.

** Spoilers Coming **

As for David's comment, I think she has atoned. I think it actually ruined her life, which, to me, is atonement enough. Her character had been writing that story for her entire life and wasn't able to finish it until shortly before she died.

[SaraMichelle]

I'm with Brad on this one. I find Atonement to be quite beautiful and moving, and a film more about the timeless nature of literature than it is about a love story gone tragically wrong. The final knocked me out (and also sent me to Borders to buy the book), and having now seen the picture three times I can say its power has not decreased one single bit.

The frustrating part for me is that everyone I have taken to see it has been left cold by the final. They get so wrapped up in the love story they get ticked off to discover the film hasn't really been about them, but instead it has been about Briony and her lifetime quest to find a way to atone for her mistake. They've liked it, but they felt cheated, and for the life of me it just keeps striking me as odd that people keep having these reactions.

Maybe the abrupt ending of No Country for Old Men ruined it for people this year. Maybe after that one, they couldn't handle another picture the pulled a bait and switch - however beautiful and completely justified - like this one does. I just don't know. I still think it's Oscar chances are pretty good for nominations. Wins, on the other hand, are a completely other story.

[tamidubois]

Regarding SaraMichelle's comment, I think what ultimately left me feeling pissed off was that working as a nurse and cleaning up bedpans just wasn't enough "atonement" for completely ruining 2 people's lives, especially Robbie's. I know she carried this guilt all her life, but who wouldn't? She should've come clean a long, long time ago and spent her whole life trying to free Robbie and clear his name. Now that would be atonement. But I guess that's why they call it a "movie".

[chewbaca69]

totally agree with brad.

[Silverado]

I agree with tamidubois. I was really disappointed in the film. I do like british accents in films, but this just didn't click for me. I have a library of movies, but i proudly say this isn't in it.