Atonement

I had watched a movie in a theater only once since September, and it was not a great experience. Perhaps I’ll write about that later. One of the reasons I was looking forward to England was to watch a movie in theaters (or in the cinema, as they call it here) in English. I went to movie theaters so much in the United States, at the Reitz and Regal, that I was having withdrawals. In Spain they like our movies but in their language. Subtitles are the norm in the United States, but the Spanish for some reason prefer awful dubbing. The Spanish voices usually sound nothing like the authentic English voices they replace. The Spanish voice acting is not as good either. I did not know any of the actors in the British movie I watched in Spanish so it was not so bad that time.
Atonement was just released in the United States, but it’s been playing in the United Kingdom since September. Yesterday I watched it in Odeon Leicester Square, the only theatre in London where it is still playing. The ticket was £9.50 or about $19, but I think it was worthwhile. At least my withdrawals have subsided.
I might have enjoyed it more had I not watched the trailer so many times. I knew the general outline of the plot. A little girl makes a false accusation against her sister’s lover Robbie which results in his sending off to war. It seems that their lives have been ruined. The film boasts some spectacular shots of war-torn France, but as far as the story, there isn’t much more to it than what I just described and what is shown in the trailer. If you are going to watch the film, watch it on a big screen because that is how the war shots are best viewed. I might like it better if I see it again. I was very disappointed with Casino Royale the first time I watched it, but it grew on me.
There are a couple themes highlighted in the film and probably the book as well. First, I’m glad I don’t have a little sister, and my brother has not ruined my life. Second, the film shows that love (or feelings for another person that we call love) can not only bring out the best in a person, but also the worst. It’s not something anyone likes to be reminded of, not even in movies, but it’s true. Third, I’m very thankful for modern day word processors. But at the same time, the film makes typewriters look very classy.
Atonement will probably receive well-deserved Oscar nominations for cinematography and art direction. The musical score was also unique. I’m not sure about the more important categories (best picture, screenplay, acting, directing). It already cornered a few Golden Globe nominations so it’s a possibility. Atonement is at least as good- I think better-than The Departed, which won everything last year.