Nominated for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Art Direction/Set Decoration, Costumes, and Score.Atonement is a tale of a lie spoken by a young girl about her sister's lover that sends him to jail and eventually World War II, and the steps she takes to atone for that sin.
Before anything else, let me talk about "the shot" and if you've seen the film and have any awareness about camera movement and editing, you know what I'm talking about. Halfway into the film we are treated to a near 5 minute uninterrupted tracking shot (or steadycam shot, whatever you want to call it) of the beaches of Dunkirk, crowded with thousands of British soldiers waiting to be evacuated from France. It's truly one of the greatest single shots I've ever seen. About 30 seconds into it I realized what was happening and just sat in amazement at the scope, beauty and choreography of the shot. That was the high point of the film. (Though there is a nice twist at the end.) Don't get me wrong, this is a really good film, I don't know about Best Picture good. It starts in a lazy, happier time (pre WWII) when rich British kids just sat around the castle, writing plays and laying in the grass. It's got a meandering pace which serves the story, and crucial events are replayed differently from the point of view of different characters. It's effective though a few times they actually used a rewind like effect which is kind of hacky. Besides the aforementioned shot, the WWII scenes are underwhelming, I suppose intentionally to not turn this into a war film, but the carnage of the hopital scenes are intense.
The cinematography is beautiful as are the costumes and sets, Atonement could take any of those awards. It should definitely win for Original score, as composer Dario Marianelli uses typewriter sounds as a main component of the score, as well as weaving Sound events from the movie (water dripping, an umbrella striking a car) into the percussion of the score. It's pure genius. But it won't win Best Picture or Supporting Actress. Saoirse Ronan got the nomination for portraying Briony Tallis, age 13, but I was more impressed with Romola Garai, captivating as Briony age 18.
This was a very good movie, but a lot off it seemed familiar. Nothing specific but I feel like I've seen this film a few times before.
The Sneaky Cheetah's Grade: B
Best Picture: Producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner were previously nominated for Elizabeth (1998). This is producer Paul Webster's first nomination.
Screenwriter Christopher Hampton took home an Oscar for adapting Dangerous Liaisons in 1998.
This is the first nomination for 14 year old Saoirse Ronan (Best Supporting Actress) and Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey.Art Director Sarah Greenwood, Set Decorator Katie Spencer, and Costume Designer Jacqueline Durran were all previously nominated for Pride and Prejudice (2005), as was Dario Marianelli for composing the score.
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