Atonement

cailinoBAC

Is anybody else looking forward to this film? It's getting really good reviews and it's supposed to be quite faithful to the book (which, I know, isn't always a good thing, but still something you like to hear).

Hrududu

I saw this last night and loved it. I had read the book before so it was something I was looking forward to. I definitely recommend it.

hallelujah

Saw it last night. Well worth a watch. Made me feel sad.

Driver 8

Not a patch on the book. Very good first third, and some strong scenes now and then after that, but the ending is abrupt and badly-handled compared to the book.

Decent, but not the five star film the reviews would have you believe. That said, you know it's going to be "that British film" in terms of Oscars next year, and is assured of a Bafta for best film.

440Hz

Been really looking forward to this, hope to go this week sometime. Its getting fairly good reviews all round.

Pepe LeFrits

Urggggggghhhhhhhhh!

I knew this would be a chick flick going into it, but by god was I unprepared nonetheless. Guys, brace yourselves for the mush to be laid on HEAVY. The start was good, the end; though rushed, was good, but the middle was ridiculous. The constant professions of love in the middle section of the film were way, way over the top. It was a little embarrassing to watch at times and took me out of the story.

James McAvoy was excellent mind you, as was youngest Briony. I wasn't that impressed by Knightley's performance though, her performance was a bit flat.

3/5

johnny_ultimate

Its getting great reviews, but it looks like the kind of big ass epic love story / war story that I usually dislike but get terrific reviews and a plethora of awards (see also: Cold Mountain, English Patient etc...)

HOWEVER, I have heard that it is an interesting take on the genre, so I am curious enough to pick myself up a copy of the book and give it a chance. Although if it is along the lines of the type of film mentioned above, please warn me so I can avoid a trip to the library, or at least pick something better up when Im down there

Dont be at yourself

Kermode played a clip on his podcast and it sounds unbearable. He wasn't too impressed with it either.

Sadly, the other half is intent on seeing it.

cailinoBAC

I loved it. Sorry, but it makes me cringe to hear it being described as a chick flick, throwing it in with the huge number of crappy girl meets boy films that come to our screens every year. I don't think the 'constant professions of love' were way over the top for the circumstances the characters were in. I thought the scene in the cafe was one of the best in the film, as it was a moment they had been waiting for for such a long time and despite what they had been writing in letters to each other, it wasn't so easy to express what they felt when they actually met. Also, it is especially sad when you think back after the ending of the film.
Actually the ending of the film was the only part I had a problem with. It is faithful to the book, and I'm happy about that, but I just thought (don't ask me how) it could have been done so much better. Maybe I would think differently if I wasn't waiting for it.
Oh, and the second Briony was nothing special.

Eirebear

I saw this the other night...expecting big things from it from the way it was being touted as one of the great films of the year. I have not read the book.
It was a mess.
It tried to do far to much in the first 3rd of the film seemingly leaving itself short for the rest of the film.
If the final 3rd was supposed to be a "twist" then to be honest film goers must be getting increasingly dim witted as i turned to my wife as the second section ended and "guessed" what was going on.
The scenes at the beach in Dunkirk were sublime though i must say that.

McEvoy, was ok...nothing special
Knightly was her usual awful self to be honest.

My score 2 out of 5