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19/01/2008, 11:22 PM Kizzy Joined on 13/05/2007 Posts 341 Fim "Atonement" I've recently seen this much-acclaimed film and don't really know what all the fuss is about. It was OK and passed a couple of hours but I might have been watching The Go Between (filmed in North Norfolk). Almost identical storylines - Beautiful, rich young woman from BIG country house falls in love with someone from a lower class. By coincidence it just happens to be set in a VERY hot summer (albeit a different period in history, BUT just before a war).  A younger person is used as a messenger and then things go wrong.  They're caught "in the act" by that younger person and lives are changed forever. Even the ending is just like the Go-Between - we're brought up to date by the young person in the film, who is now an old person!!!  No way is the acting of the same standard as Alan Bates, Julie Christie and co.  Location was pretty and costumes good but way too many similarities to the Go-Between.   I surely can't be the only one to notice?     Report

21/01/2008, 3:56 PM Kizzy Joined on 13/05/2007 Posts 341 Re: Fim "Atonement" That went down like a lead balloon then!!!!!!!    Report

22/01/2008, 1:05 AM ROBERT Joined on 16/08/2003 NR Gt. Yarmouth Posts 4,226 Re: Fim "Atonement" Sorry I haven`t seen either films, but the story line can be said for countless other films I suppose. Just a different time at a different location........    Report

22/01/2008, 10:29 AM Kizzy Joined on 13/05/2007 Posts 341 Re: Fim "Atonement" Thanks for your reply Robert.  I understand what you're saying about similarities in other films but what surprised me was that within the first 15 minutes I actually thought I was watching the Go Between and not a NEW film which has been hitting the headlines.  Young person running through fields to deliver a message with very similar background music, sweat dripping off foreheads and so on ....... looked like a complete copy to me!  Interesting that plagiarism was also in the headlines last week. I am not a big film-lover to be honest but if something is "talked about" I like to see it.       Report

22/01/2008, 3:04 PM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement" The concealed letter is a deux ex machina in countless stories, there's no real plot similarity.   Just read the book though, don't bother with the film, Keira's output has all been tosh since Pride and Prejudice and before that, Bend It Like Beckham.    Report

22/01/2008, 6:41 PM kenneth Joined on 14/08/2003 Posts 1,105 Re: Fim "Atonement" Just read the book though, don't bother with the film I saw the film and read the book, both are very mediocre.    Report

23/01/2008, 1:39 PM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement" One of the best books of recent years, I thought. The denouement was that none of it took place, the ending upset some critics. I thought the shambles of Dunkirk was brilliantly portrayed.  "Ghost Road" by Pat Barker was a better book, unfilmable, like all great books are.      Report

23/01/2008, 8:04 PM Kizzy Joined on 13/05/2007 Posts 341 Re: Fim "Atonement"  newtyres wrote: One of the best books of recent years, I thought. The denouement was that none of it took place, the ending upset some critics. I thought the shambles of Dunkirk was brilliantly portrayed.  "Ghost Road" by Pat Barker was a better book, unfilmable, like all great books are.   ----------------------------------------------- Spoken like a "real"  critic Newtyres!   You and them big ol' words ....... Are you SURE you've read the book?  I understood that it did all take place but the main character was innocent of the assault  and he died in France. The reunion and apology were the parts that DIDN'T  take place and the writer  confessed because she was in the early stages of dementia.  I do agree with you about reading the books rather than seeing the films.  Given a choice, every time I would go for the book.  I couldn't bear to watch any of the films which were adapted from H E Bates' books because I just had so many memories of enjoying the books over many years.   Although I am aware that lots of people did it the other way round!    Report

23/01/2008, 11:48 PM Lynda Joined on 22/03/2004 Norwich Posts 2,721 Re: Fim "Atonement" I looked up Atonement on the internet and watched a trailer.     I wasn't enticed to watch the film! Lynda  Technology is great when it works.    Report

24/01/2008, 9:44 AM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement" I understood that it did all take place SPOILER********                         Robbie was killed in france, the entire story is a manuscript.    Report

24/01/2008, 11:14 AM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement" Edit- sorry Kizzy, I misread your post, you are quite right: http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=12003   The ending makes Briony's position even less enviable. She can't really attain atonement, can she? Outside her own head, I mean.    Report

24/01/2008, 2:53 PM kenneth Joined on 14/08/2003 Posts 1,105 Re: Fim "Atonement" We've had this discussion before; regardless of the fictional nature of this book, atonement cannot and should not be obtainable unless the hurt is undone. Otherwise, it is only the perpetrator of the 'crime' who benefits.    Report

06/04/2008, 6:41 PM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement"  kenneth wrote: We've had this discussion before; regardless of the fictional nature of this book, atonement cannot and should not be obtainable unless the hurt is undone. Otherwise, it is only the perpetrator of the 'crime' who benefits.   Yes, yes, you're right Kenneth. Some wrongs are un-rightable. The perpetrator doesn't benefit though , quite the opposite. This is perhaps the single most exquisite piece of acting of last year and if Dame Judi wins for 8 minutes of screen time I don't see why Vanessa doesn't win for this:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdeKx_vAXYQ   Staggering, let alone the Dunkirk steadicam shot:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_iljlyFFKM&feature=related   Dunkirk we shall not forget...For all England is proud. This is simply stunning and can never be beaten by any other movie scene...never...We shall never surrender   Good horse training.    Report

08/04/2008, 6:05 PM kenneth Joined on 14/08/2003 Posts 1,105 Re: Fim "Atonement" I agree the Dunkirk scene was done very well;  very authentic - I assume. For war pictures though, I have yet to see any that match "All Quiet on the Western Front".  A very chilling portrayal of the carnage and futility of war.    Report

09/04/2008, 8:27 AM spindrift Joined on 04/04/2006 Posts 2,440 Re: Fim "Atonement" kenneth, there is a harrowing Belo-Russian war film called "Come and See"- HMV gave it on sale I think. Stomach churning. Tarantino always cited Where Eagles Dare as the best buddie war movie and I think finally his project "Inglorious bastards" is getting the green light.   "Broadsword calling Danny Boy!"    Report

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