Although we must wait until December to see the movie, it apparently had a smashing debut at the Venice Film Festival, getting AMAAAZING reviews.
here are a few choice comments from the Variety and Hollywood Reporter reviews.
From Variety: "Rarely has a book sprung so vividly to life, but also worked so enthrallingly in pure movie terms, as with “Atonement,” Brit helmer Joe Wright’s smart, dazzlingly upholstered adaptation of Ian McEwan’s celebrated 2001 novel."
"Keira Knightley -- echoed by co-thesp James McAvoy --proves every bit as magnetic as the divas of those classic mellers pic consciously references."
"But it’s Knightley and McAvoy’s film, with both showing impressive star poise and physical elan. As the more controlled Cecilia, Knightley hints at the rebel behind the upper-middle-class mask, while McAvoy shows a sheer emotional range that’s completely new to his career. Like Irish thesp Ronan, the Scots actor also turns in an immaculate southern English accent."
From Hollywood Reporter:
""Atonement," Ian McEwan's best-selling novel of love thwarted by juvenile fantasy, has been rendered on screen so well by director Joe Wright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton that it ranks with the best novel adaptations of recent times."
"With compelling and charismatic performances by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy as the lovers, and a stunning contribution from Romola Garai as their remorseful nemesis, the film goes directly to "The English Patient" territory and might also expect rapturous audiences and major awards."
I have to say it...I told you so!!! Didn't I say this movie was going to be amaaaazing like a year ago??? Dodie, you have to trust me that this film is incredible and james mcavoy brilliant!! (I don't think I need to say anything on the brilliance of Keira, now do i?)
