Atonement (2007)
Starring Keira Knightly, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juno Temple, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Joe Wright
Screenplay: Christopher Hampton
Running Time: 130 minutes
Based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, I longed to like this pic, not only because of what was a great cast, but I'm a huge fan of pieces set between both world wars. Unfortunately Write and Hampton, and therefore vicariously, the cast, don't pull it off in my opinion.
Why doesn't the pic work? Well, for a start it is over long and there are long pieces that could have been cut altogether or explained in a better way. Some of the clumsiness can be forgiven when the end of the movie comes around (which I won't go into because it will lead to spoilers), but that doesn't atone for the overall stagnation I felt throughout. I don't know whether it was the direction or script, or a combination of both. It seemed there was something missing - maybe a bit more editing. That being said, the cast do quite well with what they have, and the cinematography is top notch.
2.5 stars out of 5
