I loved this movie.

I was completely floored by how meta it was, something I was not anticipating at all. It's funny, while I was watching that climactic scene between Briony, Cecilia and Robbie, I could feel that there was something off. Everything from the camera, to the character's behavior, to the performances were slightly off-kilter. So when it's revealed that it was imagined by Briony for her novel Atonement, it made perfect sense. She was reflecting her expectations of that situation, not the reality of it. That is a shining example of a filmmaker having masterful control over their work.

I loved the score and the way it became a part of the environment of the movie itself. Everything from the typewriter, to the plucking of piano strings, to the beating of an umbrella on the hood of a car either mesh into the score or signal the end of it. Incredible, and in viewed in context with the ending makes perfect sense.

I loved the exploration of different perspectives, how events change from person to person. The editing in particular during these scenes is fantastic.

I loved the dichotomy of the two halves, and how they apply to the characters and the events on screen. The first half is mesmerizing and taut, while the second half kind of wanders and languishes.

I loved the one-take, which was obviously brilliant for its technical prowess, but subtlety brilliant in the way it wasn't showy and served an actual purpose to the film. When the shot ends overlooking the beach from the rail next to the bar, it gives us a birds eye view of the carnage and anarchy we've just snaked our way through. It's a far greater "YOU ARE THERE" aesthetic than anything Spielberg put together in Private Ryan, and it's not as obvious.

I loved the raw, unkempt look the movie took on frequently. The hand held camera, the harsh and naturalistic lighting, the jump cuts. It was a nice balance to the painterly look the rest of the film had, and it was used appropriately, mostly during shifted perspective moments.

I didn't find it the be overly emotional, but I'm not sure that was entirely the point. I think this movie is far more about narrative structure and character perception than trying to craft an audience friendly tear-jerker. I really think it's one of the best novel adaptations I've ever seen because it does such a tremendous job of incorporating the feeling of a story being told.

I'd say that's an appropriate punishment.

Femme Fatale