'Atonement': Best performance by an Oscar rival at the fests
Looks like we have a likely contender for one of those five best-picture slots at the next Oscars. Out of all of the flicks debuting at the film festivals this week, the one that opened Venice, "Atonement," seems to have the proper epic majesty (remember, best picture = big picture in Oscar voters' eyes), the loud critical huzzahs and industry buzz to make the cut.
Directed by Joe Wright ("Pride & Prejudice") and written by Oscar winner Christopher Hampton ("Dangerous Liaisons"), it's loaded with socko performances by Keira Knightley (best actress nominee, "Pride & Prejudice"), James McAvoy (gypped out of a nom even though he really had the lead role in "The Last King of Scotland) and Oscar champ Vanessa Redgrave ("Julia").
Considering its epic scope spanning a glorious country manor to hellish war zones, it's likely to score gads of crafts noms (cinematography, costumes, music score, etc.).
The studio behind it is Focus Features, Universal's art-house division that championed such previous Oscar players as "Brokeback Mountain," "The Constant Gardener" and "Lost in Translation." "Atonement" will debut in theaters in limited released in Oscar-friendly December. And, oh, yeah, best of all: it's loaded with British accents.
Just because it looks so much like "The English Patient" doesn't mean, egads, that it's the frontrunner to win, of course. Many other major contenders have yet to be seen, including "Charlie Wilson's War" and "Sweeney Todd," but with so much bad news coming out of Venice and Telluride this week, it's nice to know that something survived the hatchets of film critics and industryites.
Personally, I'm thrilled about this. I loved "Pride & Prejudice." I'm an unabashed sap for well-made romantic weepies and "Pride" was such an exhilarating 28-Kleenex doozie that I'm not surprised that directorial wizard Wright has done it again.
But, frankly, I am pleasantly surprised that film critics are smitten. Usually, those cynical nerds hurl nuclear weapons at sentimental pix. Some critics are still smashing DVDs of "The English Patient" and "Shakespeare in Love" to this day whenever rejected again for a date by a foxy chick. This time it's possible they may actually be rooting for the romantic epic in an Oscar derby. Imagine that! Stop the presses! Some film critics really do have a heart!
Here's what a few of them gushed about "Atonement" after viewing it at Venice:
Hollywood Reporter: "'Atonement,' Ian McEwan's bestselling 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 , the film goes directly to 'The English Patient' territory and might also expect rapturous audiences and major awards 'The English Patient' territory and might also expect rapturous audiences and major awards." READ MORE
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. Period yarn, largely set in 1930s and '40s England, about an adolescent outburst of spite that destroys two lives and crumples a third, preserves much of the tome's metaphysical depth and all of its emotional power. And as in Wright's 'Pride & Prejudice,' Keira Knightley — echoed by co-thesp James McAvoy — proves every bit as magnetic as the divas of those classic mellers pic consciously references.
"Released in Europe next month, and Stateside as a specialty item via Focus in December, pic should reap good returns on the back of positive reviews and figure heavily in upcoming kudo derbies. It proved a popular opener of this year’s Venice fest." READ MORE
