Keira Knightley @ MindSay

New release Atonement starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy is a heartwrenching tale of love, war, deception, uncertainty, and conflict (both internal and external).

 

From the trailer, it is easy to derive that the film is charged with emotion and saturated with pain and struggle.

 

But what is this movie really about?

"War?"

"Love between upper and lower classes?"

"Spur of the moment sex in the library between two of the most attractive figures in Hollywood?"

"Deception and the injustice of a young girl's misconceptions having such resonating effects?--Can the lovers overcome them in the end?"

"Passion?--Do they get to be together in the end?"

All of these themes are apparent in the movie, but no one of them can capture the essence of Atonement; not even the title captures the depth and magnitutde of the film.

 

In short, Atonement is about the intricate development of characters (one of the signs of true mastery in filmmaking) and the implications of their meaningful interactions.

 

It is about Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), a well-to-do young woman who seems to somewhat scorn Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of her family's housekeeper. Soon it becomes apparent that Robbie has feelings for Cecilia, and almost immediately after, Cecilia reveals a matched affection and attraction. In a heartpounding scene of emotions running high and unbridled passion, Cecilia and Robbie come together, during which they both confess their love plainly for the first time. Interrupted by Cecilia's younger sister Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), they awkwardly extricate themselves from the room without a word, leaving the fanciful and somewhat eccentric Briony to assume her sister has been violated.

 

As events unfold, this misconception coupled with a series of unfortunate events leads to a night that shapes the rest of their lives, for better or for worse.

 

But, when all is said and done, and the credits start to roll, what is the viewer left with?

 

Personally, I found Atonement to be a masterpiece beyond description. I feel I can declare it unparalleled without seeming to gush because of how clearly the film earned such praise.

 

When all is said and done, no flaw can be found with the plot. Every piece fits, and all is explained that need be. Atonement is one of the few films that has an ending that is ideal because it in no way falls short. It is both a crescendo and a diminuendo, but more than anything else, it is the definition of consonance.

 

When the credits start to roll, viewers are left with a sense of awe and then realize that this film has somehow managed to pentrate the very bowels of their souls and are be washed over with pure emotion. All your senses will be overwhelmed, and it is likely that you will tear up quite a bit.

 

Atonement is many things, but mostly it is a paradox executed in such a way as to involve you without frustrating you to distraction. Atonement embodies too many things to name, but all of them together are what create what I can fearlessly proclaim a masterpiece.

 

For those of you who continue to read my reviews, you will find that this kind of approval is exceptionally rare, but if any film deserves to be called the best, I believe that this is that film.

 

Rivaling greats like Casablanca and Gone With the Wind, it is beautiful. Above all, it is art.

>.)

Just a quick up-date I suppose to reveil the results of Britain's FHMs 100 sexiest women poll and to see how the ten ladies that I voted for got on.

 

Well, Keira Knightley won it, seems like Sarah may have voted as I know she rather likes her though I did not.

 

Of the 10 I voted for 8 of them made the 100 and are as follows:

 

Nadine Coyle (55)

 

Maggie Grace (44)

 

Brittany Murphy (36)

 

Elisha Cuthbert (22)

 

Eva Longoria (20)

 

Jessica Alba (9)

 

Evangeline Lilly (8)

 

Can't help but feel a little gutted that Kelly Clarkson who I put at my number 1 didn't even make the list and finally Melody (does anyone actually know her surname) from the pussycat dolls didn't feature as well.

 

So now you know velvetturtle who I voted for, my aploagies for the wait.

 

Quite tired now, shall be having lunch and then falling asleep in the afternoon till I have to go and work in a high health and safety risk restraunt.

 

Also I am now the owned by Sarah, grandmasspatula which is going to be lots of fun. She is rubbing her hands with glee as to what she is going to have me do.

 

On the car stereo at the moment, 3am,

 

I don't give a damn about you
No nothing can change my mind
No way
I'm happy just to let you walk away

Don't think about you at night
I'm happy to be alone
It's ok
But that was yesterday and now I'm

Driving in my car
Words don't get me far
When they don't mean shit
Ooooooh!

[Chorus:]

I'm calling you at 3am and I,
I'm standing here right outside your door
But I don't think that my heart can take much more
I'm scared of cracking up again I just
Want it to be like it was before
And I don't think that my heart can take more

I don't give a damn what you do
I'm gonna get with you
Again
And that's the way this night is gonna end
You said you need some time
How long does it take to see
That we are more than meant to be
And now you're driving in your car
But you won't get far
Cos' your car is shit
Ooooooh!

[Chorus:]

I'm calling you at 3am and I'm
Standing here right outside your door
And I don't think that my heart can take much more
I'm scared of cracking up again I just
Want it to be like it was before
Cos' I don't think that my heart can take much more

Can take much more (echoes)
Can take much more (echoes)
Can take much more (echoes)

Driving in my car
Words don't get me far
When they don't mean shit
Ooooooh!

[Chorus:]

I'm calling you at 3am and I'm
Standing here right outside your door
And I don't think that my heart can take much more
I'm scared of cracking up again I just
Want it to be like it was before
Cos' I don't think that my heart can take much more

 

Long days and pleasant nights,

 

Stephen

One of the noms drove up in this car:

Perhaps this is Steven Speilberg:


Yay for the Oscars. Jennifer Garner should watch where she's going! And Jessica Alba should practice her lines a little more carefully. Salma Hayek's dress was hot! And she was a terrific presenter too. Who are the blondes on either side of Jack Nicholson?

And yay for Philip Seymour Hoffman who won for best actor!! Way to go, Capote! (Maybe next time, Joaq!)

More to come.