Movie Review - Atonement

Oscar-bait can be a funny thing. You know what I’m talking about, those movies that seem to exist for the purpose of having awards showered upon them. What is it about certain films and genres that even the most clueless moviegoer can say “Yeah, that’ll be winning some awards” after watching a two minute montage? What’s even more puzzling is that this phenomenon will often get people to watch movies they never would have otherwise (Hey, I’m just as guilty as any there). This year that honor is bestowed upon Atonement, which is already seeing some backlash, as voters don’t seem particularly pleased with the perceived inevitability of the film’s Oscar fate, which brings me to my take on the movie. Having seen the film, I can safely say that for good or ill, all of the earmarkings for a Best Picture nominee are there, but does that make it any good? The answer isn’t as easy as a simple “yes” or “no”. There’s certainly a lot to like about it. Director Joe Wright turns in some tremendously accomplished work including many sequences that are among the most memorable in any film of 2007. There’s a very classic quality to much of it that’s evocative of the golden age of cinema, particularly after the movie jumps ahead to World War 2. The film also delivers a nice little gut punch at the end that should cause even the toughest hearts in the audience to break just a little. There are however a few leaps of coincidence here and there that seem just a little too convenient, though nothing too egregious. The cast delivers strong performances across the board, especially lead actor James McAvoy. The films shifts its focus quite a bit, but it is always at its strongest when McAvoy is at the center. So if I have so many nice things to say about the film and so few complaints, why the reservation in my tone? Unfortunately such is the nature of the beast. I would love to watch this movie in a vacuum and tell people to check it out without any baggage, but in the real world of Hollywood award seasons, that just doesn’t happen. Like I said up front, Oscar-bait is a funny thing, because none of us would have heard of Atonement (much less seen it) if it wasn’t considered a likely Oscar contender, which is its greatest asset and greatest obstacle. It is virtually impossible to watch the movie and not think of every other likely Best Picture candidate and whether or not it stacks up. In my opinion Atonement is a very strong period epic, though I think it falls short of the level 2007’s top films are playing at. Now that’s an immensely unfair standard to hold a film to, but once the words “Academy Award” are whispered, the basis of a film’s evaluation is irrevocably altered regardless of how fair or unfair that may be.

Atonement
***
Directed by Joe Wright