Atonement

"Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame." - Robbie Turner, Atonement

In line with the recently concluded Academy Awards, I have decided to watch Joe Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's critically acclaimed novel "Atonement." Of course, the movie won an Oscar for Best Original Score and Best Motion Picture-Drama in the Golden Globes, which makes the whole movie experience very pleasing and delightfully entertaining.

The movie revolves around Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and the son of their housekeeper, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Obviously, the two sisters fancy Robbie as a prospective lover in the future because of his air and stature. Unfortunately for Briony, Robbie prefers the older and sophisticated Cecilia, especially after their sexually enticing encounter by the fountain/pond. Briony then misjudges Robbie as a "sexual maniac" after seeing the happenstance and reading a sexually explicit letter containing disturbing words that are occurring inside Robbie's head. Obviously, the said letter materialized inside the Tallis Library and honestly, it was artistically done with so much adeptness and passion as if the actors were really into it. However, Briony interrupts the heated action and thinks that Robbie is taking Cecilia against her will.

Then, a crime of lust happens: Lola Quincey (Juno Temple) gets herself raped by an unknown man in a tuxedo outside the Tallis manor while searching for the twins (Jackson and Pierrot Quincey). Briony accuses Robbie of the said crime (of course, he did not rape Lola) in line with her jealousy and perceived Robbie-induced sexual aggression with Cecilia and gets the poor guy straight to prison. Fast forward into the future, Robbie gets out of prison via the militia to ward off Germany's invasion of France and Cecilia becomes a nurse manager in London (I think). During their pre-war date, Cecilia assures Robbie that she will always keep in touch (via snail mail, of course) and will eventually wait for and marry him. On the other hand, Briony (Romola Garai) also became a nurse for the military to redeem herself, or so to speak, of the enormous guilt of accusing Robbie of false rape.

Unfortunately, Robbie and Cecilia died during the war (Robbie of septicemia and Cecilia of a war-related accident in London). Strangely enough, towards the latter part of the film, a pseudo-future scene was shown, wherein Briony was asked by the couple to withdraw her 4-year old statement against Robbie in order to clear Robbie's ill name and ultimately tell the truth. But, as stated, the lovers died and Briony wasn't able to clear Turner's name. Briony then becomes a famous novelist in the future (Vanessa Redgrave) and her last novel (entitled, "Atonement") contained the real score on Lola's case and gave Cecilia and Robbie a hopeful happy ending. The end.

What really struck me the most, with regard to the entire film, was the note-worthy "typewriter-ish" sound that appears during the turning points of the film. At first, it was a bit disturbing and annoying to the common ear but, as the movie progresses, this unique sound suddenly becomes a mark that something sensible will happen next. It adds suspense all throughout and it somehow states on how this clever and provoking story started: In writing. The overall musical score was fabulous and well-suited for each character, event, and the magnificent scenery. No wonder it won an Academy! Kudos!

Overall, the movie was very sagacious and brilliant. It is a must see and will magnify the age-old statement that "the truth will set us free."

Coffee, anyone?