Atonement (2007)

I was wandering through the library shelves when I picked up Ian McEwan's Atonement. I didn't know what it was about, but I remember it was adapted into a movie with Keira Knightly and Saoirse Ronan that I had meant to watch for quite some time, so I read it. And I loved it which is why I was no longer sure I wanted to see Joe Wright's Atonement.

The story opens in 1935 when a 13-year-old aspiring writer and playwright, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), witnesses an act she doesn't fully understand, the long-time family servant, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), making love with her older sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Later on, she becomes the witness of a crime she doesn't understand but she thinks she does and falsely accuses Robbie because of what she had seen earlier. This accusation of hers tears apart the two lovers, maybe forever as Robbie is sent to serve the army in WWII. Five years later, a grown-up Briony (Romola Garai), aware of the damage she has caused, tries to make amends for it.

Adapting McEwan's novel was not easy, but screenwriter Christopher Hampton did a very good job, leaving out all the subplots that couldn't have been included in a two-hour film, focusing only on the important aspects of the story. Unfortunately, the storytelling is not as good as it could have been. While the first act is wonderful as it draws you in and keeps you on the edge of the seat to see what would happen — impressive considering I had just read the novel — the second and third act are unfortunately not as compelling. I did like how the ending was changed, not the ending of the story, but the way it is delivered to us with Briony giving an interview rather than speaking to the reader/viewer. 

Just like in the novel, none of the characters is particularly sympathetic as they all are pretty self-centered and melodramatic, and yet it's fascinating to watch them because they are complex and developed characters, even though their thoughts aren't as well-rounded and intimate as they are in the book. 

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Arguably Atonement's greatest strength is the acting. Keira Knightley is delightful in the role of Cecilia as she conveys her character's feeling within a single glance, James McAvoy is terrific in the role of Robbie as he delivers a strong performance filled with emotions and wonderfully conveys the innocence of young love as well as the brutalities of war. Also, Knightley and McAvoy have such great chemistry, not only it's obvious they would way for each other and that we want them to be together, but it feels like visual poetry. It's not often that two actors are able to make you feel such strong emotions only with a glance. Saoirse Ronan is quite extraordinary and steals her scene she is in as she conveys the naivety, frustrations and anger of 13-year-old Briony to perfection. Also notable is Vanessa Redgrave's performance in the role of old Briony as she effortlessly conveys many emotions through her expressions.

Also worthy of a mention are Seamus McGarvey's breathtaking cinematography, the superb set design, the costumes, and a terrific musical score by Dario Marianelli that infuses the film with beauty and sadness.

It's such a shame the second and third act are not very compelling and feel dragged because this had the potential to be a masterpiece.

Glass (2019)

If it wasn't for Glass, I probably would have never seen Unbreakable, one of the best origin films ever, nor Split, its marvellous standalone sequel. If I hadn't loved those two films, on the other hand, I would have never sat through two hours of whatever the hell Glass is. 

Set immediately after Split, Glass opens with an aged David Dunn (Bruce Willis) who, helped by his son, Joseph (Spencer Treat Clark), tries to stop Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy) and the twenty-four personalities that reside within him. Things don't go exactly as planned and both David and Kevin are locked up in a mental hospital where David's archenemy, Elijah Price aka Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), is also staying. As if that wasn't bad enough, David has to deal with a psychiatrist (Sarah Paulson) who is out to prove that the three men do not have super-human abilities. 

The plot was neither Unbreakable nor Split's strongest suit, so I was not expecting anything grand from Glass under this aspect. Unfortunately, it turned out to be even worse than anticipated. Not only it makes no sense whatsoever, it features twists that, at the same time, are predictable and unexpected as they are completely devoid of logic, and it just basically just a lame excuse to have the three characters reunited in one film, but it's not interesting, it's not compelling, it just simply does not keep you hooked like its predecessors did. 

The main reason both Unbreakable and Split worked for me was the characters —while not every single one of them had the depth or development they deserved, they were interesting —especially Kevin—, likeable and realistic. In Glass, they have the same issues —they are shallow and the development is nearly nonexisting—, only this time they are pretty uninteresting and quite annoying to be honest, especially the psychiatrist.

The performances are also disappointing. Bruce Willis gives a dull, uninspired performance as he essentially sleep-walks through the entire film; Samuel L. Jackson is mediocre to say the least as Mr. Glass; Anya Taylor-Joy, who reprises her role of Casey, has barely something to work with; and the same goes with Sarah Paulson who not only is given absolutely nothing to do but has the most excruciating lines of dialogue.

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M. Night Shyamalan's direction is also pretty bland and boring. The film indeed lacks the tension and suspense required by a psychological thriller —this is what Glass is supposed to be, right?—, there's no atmosphere, and the cinematography is lifeless.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel though, and it's James McAvoy's performance as Kevin and his multiple personalities. Already the most compelling aspect of Split, McAvoy is yet again mesmerizing, and the switching between personalities is more impressive than ever. This guy is just fascinating to watch and about the only logical reason to watch Glass.

Split (2016)

After watching and loving Unbreakable, I followed Sid's suggestion, and I checked out its (standalone) sequel, Split.

The story follows Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), a teenager with a traumatic past, and two of her classmates, Claire (Haley Lu Richardson) and Marcia (Jessica Sula), who are kidnapped by Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder. While the three girls try to find a way to escape, Crumb's psychologist, Dr. Karen Fletcher (Betty Buckley), delves deeper in his disorder and realises there's something wrong with him.

Plot-wise, there isn't much to say as it's a pretty simple story with some twists —at times predictable— and turns along the way. Also, it's not the most appropriate thriller storytelling as there is more telling than showing. And yet the story is very interesting, compelling, and suspenseful, and will keep you on the edge of your seat for a great portion of the film's running time.

Just like with Unbreakable, the reason Split works as good as it does is the characters. While Casey's friends couldn't be any more clichéd than that, the character of Casey is nicely written, she is given a backstory through flashbacks, and, although she's the typical girl with a troubled past, you cannot help but root for her. It also helps that Anya Taylor-Joy gives a good performance and she is able to deliver the chemistry that gradually builds between her character and her abductor. Amongst the secondary characters, Betty Buckley gives a convincing performance as Dr. Fletcher.

As for Crumb, he is such an interesting, fascinating villain because of his multiple personalities we get to meet —whether it's Denis or Patricia trying to protect Kevin, the artistic Barry, or the goofy and funny 9-year-old Hedwig, the character is always compelling. Most of the credits go to James McAvoy for delivering yet another outstanding performance. We don't get to see all of Kevin's twenty-three personalities, but he nails every single one we meet —homosexual, heterosexual, man, woman, young, old, kid, beast, he's always convincing and believable. My favourite personality? Hedwig. Although McAvoy kind of sounds like Tommy Wiseau when playing the 9-year-old boy, he is a delight every time he's on screen, and he's the reason I cared about Kevin.

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Just like its predecessor, Split is slowly paced but M. Night Shyamalan manages to build tension and suspense nevertheless, and with the help of a creepy, uneasy atmosphere —enhanced by the beautiful cinematography, sets and the score from West Dylan Thordson— delivers an intense and terrifying film.

MUST WATCH: First Trailer For X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Usually I'm restrained in my early comments about X-men movies as I've been let down, but also thrilled with past releases. This time though with X-MEN: APOCALYSE - wow. Director Bryan Singer has seemingly stepped up his game here and improved upon what was already a great movie in DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.

Note the character development especially in the trailer. I love the correlations they assert and while I'm growing very tired of superhero movies that present the end of the world, this looks like a very entertaining shot at it.

APOCALYSE stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Olivia Munn, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Lucas Till, Josh Helman, Lana Condor and Ben Hardy.

Here's the synopsis for the movie:
Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE is slated for release on May 18, 2016. More when I get it - and I'm really looking forward to see what's next for marketing.