Atonement

TeTe

Cathlete
Has anyone else read the book? I really loved it, and now the movie is out, and I'm hoping Hollywood doesn't ruin it.

Anyone???
 
From what I have heard they changed the ending and some people aren't happy about it. Overall though, the critics are raving about the movie. I'm not sure if that means I will like it or not... ;)
 
Wow! The ending was, well, the whole reason for the story. I've been dying to talk to someone about that book since I finished it years ago, but no one I know has read it. The ending was quite a surprise and pretty controversial.

Thanks, Liann!
 
I've been wondering the same thing! I love the book, but am so worried that Hollywood has changed it. Since my DH has no desire to see the film, I was going to go see it myself this week, but haven't had time. Maybe a matinee next week . . . .

I'm also worried because Kiera Knightly bothers me. I hate what the director did to the recent _Pride and Prejudice_ that he did with her in it. It was much more Bronte-esque, and not at all accurate to the world that Austen lived in.

Enough venting!;-)
 
Leanne - My sisters and I thought the latest Pride & Prejudice with Kiera Knightly was a complete mess! We hated it! All Kiera did was giggle her way through the entire movie and act as silly as her sisters. It was NOTHING like Jane Austen's book. I was mortified!
 
I wasn't impressed with his version of P&P, either. It's like the entire soul of the book was completely sucked out. I also don't like the way this movie is being touted as "the greatest love story...blah, blah, blah!!!" There was just so much more to the book. Ian McEwan is one dark puppy, and his books have so many layers. Of course, I realize that movies have a hard time conveying nuance, but come on!!!!

Leanne, please let me know what you think!
 
Oh, it's so nice to hear that other people despised that version of _P&P_, too! The pigs in the house (and the camera shot of their . . . nether regions) really sent me over the edge. The middle class in Austen's day did not live like that -- and it's so infuriating to see her world represented that way! Now the BBC version of _P&P_ with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth is just wonderful . . . .

TPF, I know what you mean about McEwan's book being so nuanced, layered, and rich. The ending of _Atonement_ reminded me so much of other postmodern writers like Tim O'Brien. I don't think that it will translate well to film, especially since I have such low expectations because of how the director filmed _P&P_.

Despite all that, I know that I'll go see _Atonement_ just because I'm curious and I love the book. I also just checked movie times, and it actually just opened in a few more theatres. It was just showing in two art house theatres, but now it'll be in some larger ones, too. So I'm going to try to see it this coming week, but I might have to see it the week after that if things are too busy.

If you two see it, let us know how you liked it!
 

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