Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 1, 2008 4:06:07 GMT
Joe Wright (1972- )
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 1, 2008 4:06:41 GMT
1. Pride and Prejudice 2005 2. Atonement 2007
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 1, 2008 4:16:32 GMT
On silly responses to films amongst the collective audience, I went to see Atonement tonight with a theatre full of students, and seriously, you would not believe the amount of laughter early on regarding the "CUNT" close-up, the part where Robbie realises he's given Briony the wrong letter and the part where the Briony finds Robbie and Cecilia having sex. Like, serious bellows from everyone. It was like being in year five again having sex education for the first time. I felt very sad and alienated. That "C - U - N - T" bit on the typewriter was pretty funny though... it's way out of left field, doesn't fit the milieu at all. And the presentation reminded me of Thug complaining about the "S - K - U - L - L" in King Kong. Yeah, I would have found it amusing myself (like the character) had I watched it alone, but to actually be drowned out by cow-noises which overflow into the next scene was a bit too much. I had to really concentrate to actually enjoy some of it. That ongoing tracking shot on the beach was amazing; so surreal and very effective in sweeping us along into awestruck despair.
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Feb 1, 2008 4:17:16 GMT
1. Atonement (2007) 6/10
The first act, in the country house, is excellent, despite Keira Knightley (Saoirse Ronan and Juno Temple are very good). But after that it feels like little more than a strain to hit a certain number of narrative beats in anticipation of the final twist (though of course this is only apparent after the reveal - while it's building it just feels cripplingly truncated). Good overall; ambitious and intelligent, certainly. Although the concept of a character "writing what we see" is an inherently awkward one.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 1, 2008 4:21:10 GMT
Pride and Prejudice is terribly underrated, by the way. Visually stunning at times (though Wright could have perhaps left the quiet, tranquil establishing shots linger more than they do), with a terrific overhead tracking sequence at a ball, and that walk through the fog towards the end.
Talk about subtle and brief treatments of literary classics; Knightley is actually tolerable, and Matthew Macfadyen's performance is excellent, restricted for the most part to mere glances and facial hints. He's an excellent actor - I lost interest in Spooks when he left. Atonement is more ambitious, but Pride and Prejudice is more successful, for me.
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Kino
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Post by Kino on Feb 1, 2008 4:58:46 GMT
Did you guys read the source novel anytime prior seeing to Atonement?
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RNL
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Post by RNL on Feb 1, 2008 5:46:28 GMT
No. I probably wouldn't have watched the film if it wasn't so talked up.
Upper crust British period drama starring Keira Knightley? Pass.
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Kino
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Post by Kino on Feb 1, 2008 5:47:48 GMT
Was the novel popular over there prior to the film?
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 2, 2008 0:46:20 GMT
Ian McEwan is well liked and established at my uni; he did the famous Creative Writing MA here.
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Post by Anasazie on Nov 1, 2008 23:57:04 GMT
1. The Soloist (2009) 6/10 2. Atonement (2007) 4/10
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Post by Michael on Feb 23, 2010 16:45:21 GMT
1. Atonement (2007) **
Some truly great moments mixed in with lots of genuinely shit moments. It kinda felt like the director had 2 personalities or something.
And Keira Knightley is fucking DREADFUL.
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