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.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

I don't know the reason —it was probably on some list somewhere, probably on BuzzFeed— but many years ago I decided to check out Girl, Interrupted, and I ended up loving it. It's been ten years since then so I figured it was time to rewatch it.

Based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir —which I've been meaning to read for years but still is on my to-read list— the story follows Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder), a neurotic and volatile 18-year-old who is admitted to a mental institution after she attempts to commit suicide. In the confined borders of the institution, Susanna befriends the other troubled girls in her ward, including the seductive, manipulative and dangerous Lisa (Angelina Jolie).

The kind that doesn't really have a beginning, a middle or an end, Girl, Interrupted's story is really nothing new, it's often predictable and clichéd, and the pacing is quite slow, and yet it's compelling and really draws you in as Susanna's story unfolds before your eyes. It's a story that deals with mental illness and, while its portrayal is quite simplistic —this is a mainstream movie from the 1990s after all—, it does provide an insight on the subject in a respectful way without being melodramatic or overly sentimental. It's also an honest portrayal of friendship and makes a commentary, although pretty superficial, on the Vietnam War.

It's the character though that really stuck with me about Girl, Interrupted as Susanna Kaysen is the first character I've seen in a movie to whom I could relate and still can relate. She is a victim of great expectations, confusion and uncertain future, someone who is trying to understand the meaning of life and find a place where to fit in. She doesn't really understand her condition and this angers her. Winona Ryder does a wonderful job in the role as she effortlessly carries the movie and delivers the character's pain in such a way that you feel sorry for her.

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The supporting characters are quite the stereotypes —there's the pathological liar (Clea DuVall), a teenager with the intellect of a child (Elizabeth Moss), a ballerina with an eating disorder (Angela Bettis), a sexually abused young woman who cuts herself and has OCD, a psychotic bitch (Angelina Jolie)— and most of them don't have much of an arc, and yet they are interesting as the cast give great performances, the standout being Angelina Jolie whose portrayal of Lisa earned her an Oscar. She is charming and menacing at the same time, friendly and aggressive, and really brings you inside the head of a sociopath.

The cinematography is nothing extraordinary but it's very natural and helps to draw you into Susanna's world. The score is lovely and the songs are great. Sure, this is not a perfect movie as the script has many flaws, but overall director James Mangold crafted an interesting, tender and non-judgemental film.