A tale of two movies, indeed. Today was an exercise in extremes. From melancholy and depressing to saccharine and feel-good, today was a day filled with cinematic experiences.
Riding the wave of awards hype and starring two people who are quickly becoming must-see for me, Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, Atonement simply had to be seen, didn’t it?
And how could I resist Amy Adams, a captivating and crush-worthy actress who is certainly a new favorite of mine?
So let’s talk about these two wildly different films.
Atonement was a beautiful film to watch. I don’t know the last time I’ve sat in a film and spent so much time soaking up details. The house, the decor, the dresses, the make-up, the music, the way scenes were shot. Forget the story for a minute and hear me–this film is AMAZING to look at. Wow!!! I loved what Joe Wright did with the look of Pride and Prejudice. And while I love everything about that film its look is child’s play in comparison to the look of this movie. Again I have to say, Wow!!! There is an opening scene with a child’s toy animals spread out in a parade looking as if they are heading towards a young girl sitting at the typewriter, banging away on a play. I would watch the movie again just to see that scene once more. The setting of this film is lush and rich and is the kind of place I could get lost in forever and let my imagination run wild. It was a classic, gothic paradise.
The camera angles, the way characters were placed, the placement of shots…there is so much beauty here that I will be really disappointed if awards are not won for these aspects of the film.
As for the story itself, it was certainly not your typical sweet and innocent period piece film. This is a dark, moody, sad and depressing film. A simmering dread and melancholy hovers over each and every frame of the film which leads up to an emotional sock in the gut in the end that really made the film for me. It is gut wrenching and devastating and is certainly worth seeing if you like this kind of film. It is good. Is it great? If I look at it analytically, then yes, it was a great film. If I simply go on my ‘do I need to see it again, do I need to own it?’ criteria, then no. However for the sake of being objective I must urge you to listen to my analytical self. There is a lot of beauty to this very sad film. It is very thought provoking and moving.
It is also extremely well acted. I think James McAvoy gets better in each film that I see him in and the young girl, Saoirse Ronan, is amazing. I was blown away by her performance. And I enjoyed Keira Knightley as I always do. She was simply gorgeous in this film, dressed in a very glamorous fashion. Even when ‘dressed down’ she looked like a movie starlet of old.
So, to recap: Sad movie, wonderful performances, stunning sets and props, extraordinary film work. That is Atonement.
I had decided before today that I wanted to do the double feature and see Enchanted as well. I thought it looked fun in the trailers and was getting positive buzz. It worked out well too as I felt I needed a pick me up after seeing Atonement.
Enchanted was just what you would expect it to be. It was silly and fun and lighthearted and sweet. It lampooned the Disney tradition in a very good natured way and one couldn’t help but be carried along with the joy of the experience.
Amy Adams was delightful. She was perfectly cast in the role. She had the Disney Princess act down perfectly and never broke character throughout the film. I was pleased to see during the ending credits that she also sang her own songs. She has a lovely singing voice and the musical numbers were great fun.
Patrick Dempsey is a leading man that I usually enjoy and he was very entertaining in this film.
The real scene stealer…or at least, heart-string puller, was young Rachel Covey who played Patrick Dempsey’s daughter. Despite the overall upbeat tone of the film and predictability of the story, she had a few moments which certainly caused the sap in me to tear up. She was adorable in her role.
The animation at the beginning of the film was fun and the animated/CG chipmunk was hilarious. The film is colorful and beautiful to see. It was so fun to see the fairy tale world and the ‘real’ world interact and the humor in these clashes was never overplayed, it was handled perfectly.
Enchanted is a fun movie that is well worth taking the family, or just your sweetie, to. It is feel good all the way around and there are not surprises, but it doesn’t matter as the film is very well done.
So those were my experiences today. From the depths to the heights. I enjoyed each extreme and was very pleased with both choices. I’ve got so many images from both films chasing each other around in my head that I’m swimming with ideas. Now if I could get ahold of that fortune I would be redoing my house immediately!!!
Go see these films!!!
I STILL haven’t taken the girls to see Enchantment!! I just haven’t had the time. But I will. Patrick Dempsey is one of my favorites. Has been since he was a geeky teen!! Besides, his birthday is the same as mine!! Glad you enjoyed the movies. Atonement is one that will just have to wait until DVD!
I’m looking forward to Enchantment!
I went to see Enchantment Thanksgiving Day and what a delightful choice that was. It was a feel good movie, perfect for the occasion. I have yet to see Atonement as it isn’t playing in a theater near me just yet, but I hope that will change soon.
As always, a marvelous post, Carl. You are such a gifted writer.
If you end up seeing Atonement, LF, come back and let me know what you think of it.
You’ll love Enchanted, Janet and Stephanie. It is such a fun theatre experience. I was amazed at the crowd it is still bringing in after being out so long.
I saw Enchantment earlier this month as well, and I thought it was a very good movie. Not necessarily a must buy, but I enjoyed it. I want to see Antonement, but I do not think it is playing here yet. I have read the book, though, and I did enjoy it. On Sunday I think I am going to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, so I am looking forward to that!
I won’t be seeing Atonement as I did not like the book at all (yes, I’m in certainly in the minority).
One of my daughters went to Enchantment, and she said that she immediately wanted to watch it again. She feels that it will become as much of a classic as The Princess Bride…at least in her household!
At least you ended on the high note, Carl! I hate having all the feelings that a depressing movie can leave. The book was depressing enough.
The book Atonement made me angry. Pissed off, ready to slap the little girl, angry. In fact, my blood’s raising above a simmer as I start thinking about how such a brat could ruin so many lives as I contend, on purpose. Others I’ve spoken to say that she was just naive, but I believe we all know deep down what we’re doing. Anyway, I am interested in seeing the film especially as you admire it’s aesthetic qualities. I wonder if it stirs the emotions as much as the book did in me…
I have to admit that I hadn’t really thought I needed to see Enchantment…I think you changed my mind. (Though it’s probably not the one that will actually get me to a theater.) Beautiful reviews!
Enchantment goes on the list of buying dvds when they come out.. along with a list that’s almost as long as my tbr list! geez!
Kailana: I’m such a romantic movie lover and I enjoyed Amy Adams so much that this will be a must buy for me when it comes out.
JenClair, Bellezza: As I watched the film I got the impression that there were darker things about the book that I would not like at all. It certainly isn’t the kind of book I would ever read. The film isn’t one I would watch again for the story, but I will watch it again sometime probably for the aesthetic qualities. There are some things I want to do creatively that the film inspired me to try…probably not the intention of the film maker.
Bellezza: In the movie she really does seem like she is partially naive and partially is feeling slighted by her crush on the lead. She certainly isn’t a loveable child, but the way they hint at her imagination and dramatic side makes her seem like a tarnished Anne Shirley to me. That is of course all based on the amazing film performance by that young girl.
Debi: You and Annie would love Enchanted.
I was so gald to read your excellent review of Atonement. Someone at work has seen it and thought it was awful; she said she had trouble following it – this not someone I would use as a guide for what movie to see. I suspect our tastes are not the same. I couldn’t get into this book, don’t recall why. I am anxious to see the movie after reading your review. After all, I usually want to see everything that may be nominated. So, Thanks.
I haven’t had the opportunity to see many movies here lately, so I’ve had to be really picky. I did (and still do) want to see “Enchanted,” but just haven’t gotten around to it. Probably I’ll wait for the DVD, as the movie has been out for a while. As for “Atonement,” it looks like the kind of movie I would “appreciate” but not necessarily like. Thus it is definitely a rental.
I do plan to catch “Sweeney Todd” this weekend, though.
I’m aching to see Sweeney Todd, and have heard nothing but good things Wayne.
I think you would appreciate Atonement, Pat. Not sure if you would ‘like’ it per se as it isn’t a warm movie, but I know you would appreciate it. I certainly didn’t find it hard to follow, it was about as linear as movies come.
Carl,
A couple things – I saw Sweeney Todd over last weekend with my girlfriend. The music is great, the acting awesome and Tim Burton is a master. Having said that, the actually scenes of Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) butchering countless people were bloody and gory. I found that part to be WAY overdone and felt that it took away from the movie.
I took my 5 year old to see Enchanted after Thanksgiving and she loved it! It really was a fun movie.
Lastly, it’s too bad that Atonement isn’t the type of book you normally would want to read – I just finished it a couple weeks ago and feel that it was probably the best book I read all year. I am looking forward to seeing it in the theaters.
I heard it was gory and that probably won’t bother me as much simply because I’m expecting it. We’ll see. I’d rather have it not be so gory, personally, but I still cannot wait to see it.
For a second I read your next sentence that you took your 5 year old to see Sweeney Todd. I was cracking up.
I shouldn’t say off hand that Atonement isn’t the type of book I would read, but by and large it is a true statement. Books like Kite Runner, etc, including Atonement are books that generally don’t draw me to them like the other types of books I read. That isn’t to say that they aren’t amazingly written and that I wouldn’t love them. More than anything I always have more than enough to read and I just don’t feel those books calling out to me in the bookstore like I do other novels.
I look forward to hearing your assessment of the film when you’ve seen it since you’ve read the book. Please make sure and come back over and leave me a comment once you have so I can read your thoughts.
Atonement had a wonderful look and feel but the story was just so sad. James Mcavoy and Kiera Knightly have terrific chemistry. Kiera reminded me so many times of the great films stars of the 40’s. She just has this look in the film that is captivating. It’s a film that I enjoyed seeing once but that’s enough for me.
Enchanted was a lot of fun. Amy Adams was so fun and these expressions of innocence she makes are incredible. She just steals your heart. It was also fun seeing Disney poke fun at itself. This film is great for the whole family.
While we are all speaking movies I have to mention I Am Legend. My wife and I both saw it today and loved it. My favorite movie of the holiday season so far. Now I need to read the original book it’s based on.
I highly recommend I am Legend as well. I saw it twice over the week before Christmas but just didn’t get around to reviewing it. I enjoyed it quite alot the first time I saw it and was blown away by it the second time I saw it. Will Smith is terrific in it, the stark, empty streets of New York are a must-see on the big screen, and it is an emotional film. Very well done! Read the novella too. They are both different enough that each version should be enjoyed for what it is.
Great reviews, Carl. I am glad that I saw both movies, but Atonement was very sad and very thought provoking.
Enchanted was fun and being a little “over the top” made it even more enjoyable.
Hey Carl, I’m a friend of Jean-Pierre’s and I was really interested in your review of Atonement. I pretty much agree with everything you say about it. I read the book about 4 years ago and would recommend it. The Briony character is I think the best realised of all. I disliked the ending of the film intensely – it jarred with everything else. But I won’t say anymore. There be no spoilers here.
Fiona, welcome! Any friend of JP’s and all that…
Okay, so I need to know more about your feelings about the ending. I found it jarring, but it a good way actually. The ‘punch in the gut’ that I described really made the whole movie worthwhile for me, as weird as that sounds. Shoot me and email and tell me more:
cvincent68@comcast.net
We took the girls to see Enchanted today. We loved it. Anjelia was so engrossed in it that she barely wiggled in my lap. Lots of fun!
I’m glad you guys got to do that and that even Anjelia enjoyed it. It is such a fun film.
Atonement was my #1 read the year it was released. I keep thinking I should read it again before seeing the movie. I think McEwan’s writing is exquisite. Wasn’t the ending just amazingly unexpected?! I know some people hated it (and the entire book), but I loved everything about it, including the finale. I also think he did a fabulous job (in the novel) with the scenes in Dunkirk. I can’t wait to see how it all translates to film. Your review has made me very anxious to see it as soon as it arrives in Lincoln!!
We saw Sweeny Todd this afternoon. While I enjoyed Depp, Rickman and Carter’s performances (fabulous singing by all), I didn’t care the film. Far too gorey for my taste. And it’s not that I can’t take blood and guts, but that it was just so overdone. I kept wanting to shout, “We get the point!” However, we also saw I Am Legend which we all thought was fabulous. So much so that I want to go so it again. I loved the scenes of the abandoned city. Oh, this will be a winner to own on dvd, as I love all the bonus material for this sort of film. I love post-apocalyptic books/movies and now look forward to reading the book!
By the way, have you seen The Painted Veil? We watched it last night and thought it was quite good.
Great reviews, as always, Carl! Thanks.
The ending of Atonement was very unexpected and it really made the whole movie for me. Very gut wrenching but good, if that makes sense.
I hope to see Sweeney soon, despite the gore. Its Burton, Carter, and Depp, so I almost have to see it.
Glad you enjoyed Legend, it is very well done indeed. I look forward to watching the ‘making of’ for that film. I actually liked it much better the second time I saw it. You’ll probably really enjoy the book as well as it is very different in some ways from the film.
Haven’t see The Painted Veil but it looks interesting.
I felt a little manipulated by the ending of Atonement. I would rather, on the whole, that a writer let you come up with your own reaction to the story and didn’t play postmodern games for the sake of cleverness. But I’ve felt the same reading Dickens, and I love Dickens… and I’m not sure you could call him a postmodernist.
I should say I haven’t seen the film, only read the book.
I’m not sure if the book and film are anywhere near the same…probably not if form holds true. I do know that it was an interesting film that felt a bit soulless at times and for me the end was what redeemed the experience even if it was a bit too tidy a way to tie it all up.
I saw both movies. Loved Enchantment and just thought it delightful. The actress is so witty and have enjoyed other movies that she has been in. As far as Atonement, I found it quite slow moving and boring. The actors did not impress me and am glad I waited for DVD instead of paying full price at movies. Guess we all have our own levels of what we like and what does not get to us.
“Guess we all have our own levels of what we like and what does not get to us.” Yes, indeed. Thankfully so as it makes life interesting. Atonement was slow moving, but that is part of what I enjoyed about it.
Enchantment is wonderful. I saw Amy Adams in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day over the weekend and absolutely loved it. She was fantastic in her role.