Seeing is Believing

Reading a novel is great in many ways, and usually more enjoyable than watching a film of the same story because of the farther detail a novel provides. However, as the saying goes, "seeing is believing." Novels provide readers with visuals through text; however, in a film, viewers actually see and witness events that are occurring, seeing things and understanding things differently than they would reading the novel.
The first thing I'd like to point out is, unlike in the novel, right from the beginning of the film, Paul Marshall seems to be extremely creepy. The way he looks at Lola is intense, and when he tells her to "bite it! You have to bite it," his facial expression and tone of voice gives of the vibe that he has some weird obsession with her, and even enjoyment of watching her bite the chocolate bar. He also proves to be temperamental in this same scene, when he angrily tells the twins, "well your daddy was wrong!" He seemed offended that the twins said they're father told them that there wasn't going to be a war, and by Marshall's reaction, you can see that he wanted to be right and in control.
Another example of this is when Lola was asked if it was really the twins who caused the marks on her arm. She immediately looked at Marshall, which is when he admitted to witnessing the attack, and claimed to have helped Lola, which he said is how he got his "battle wounds." This was actually explained in the novel; however, in the film, seeing their reactions and hearing their tone of voice, enhances the assumptions of Marshall being a creep, and violent as well.
The second example of "seeing is believing," is the love that Robbie and Cecilia have for one another. This is also described in the novel; however, the views of each of them physically in different places, but clearly in the same place of mind, have an impact of the way viewers understand that love. The camera goes back and forth, from Robbie to Cecilia, before Robbie wrote the letter to her. You can see they are both thinking about each other. Their minds are in the same place, longing for each other, even after the argument over a broken vase.
The film also brings enhancements to their love by showing Robbie's thoughts about Cecilia. During the war scene, near the end, Robbie's thoughts are filmed for viewers to see for themselves what's really on his mind. He's going crazy with thoughts of Cecilia and going home to her. He has flashbacks of his life, with the love of his life, Cecilia. This proves his love for her is real, as she was his last thought before he died; she was all that mattered. Actually witnessing his thoughts truly reveals his love for her, better than text in a novel could describe.
One last example of bringing the novel to life is the way Briony's guilt was captured. When she was giving her witness statement, she proved to be unsure of what she saw, by the way she was pausing when saying it was Robbie she saw with Lola in the forest. She had doubts, but still went ahead with her original accusation. However, when Robbie was being taken away, she saw Robbie's mother screaming "Liars!" while hitting the police car, which caused her to question herself. This was done by the close-up view of the tear built up in Briony's eye, which proves that she felt guilty for what she had just done, meaning she is still unsure that her statement is correct. In the novel, you don't see or even believe that Briony has any guilt at all at this point. Therefore, the film, allowing the audience to have a better understanding because of visuals on screen instead of text, creates more of an impact on viewers, because once again, seeing is believing!

Important "Missing's"

Although Wright did a fabulous job adapting every aspect of the novel into the film as best he could, there were a few important details of the story that he did leave out. First of all, viewers who have not read the novel, have no idea why Briony had given up on her play, and decided to go outside on her own to write stories. In the novel, Jackson gets into trouble by wetting his bed, resulting in punishment, which keeps him from attending rehearsal. Everything was going wrong for Briony, with Jackson not available to rehearse with them, Lola ending up with the main role, and Briony's childhood slipping away; since she'd witnessed Cecilia and Robbie by the fountain, she decided to go off on her own to write less childish stories, and refused to go back inside until she was needed. This is when Robbie shows up with the letter for her to deliver to Cecilia, which is why she happily ran to him when he called her name; she was finally needed. Without these events and reasons being explained or shown in the film, The Trails of Arabella, that Briony was so excited about in the beginning, was simply forgotten about, with no apparent reason, causing confusion to viewers.
Secondly, there was no translation at all during the french scenes. In the novel, it was written in english, both the war scenes and the hospital scene. During the war scenes, viewers could easily lose interest in the film all together because of the lack of translation. And the hospital scene, when Briony is speaking with a french soldier who is dying while she sits with him, is not half as emotional in the film as it is in the novel, all because viewers who don't understand the french language have no idea what they are saying. Although having the frenchmen speak in english would take away from the film, Wright should have made sure to have the english translation written at the bottom of the screen for those who don't know french. This would have created much more understanding and lack of confusion.
Lastly, and most importantly, the importance of the vase was not explained in the film, however, it played a huge role in the novel. The vase is a symbol of Cecilia and Robbie's relationship, their love, and struggles of saving that love. It once belonged to "Uncle Clem," and was given to him with gratitude during the war. It was taken from a shattered glass case, from a museum, which was half destroyed. It managed to stay in one piece, even with everything else around it being destroyed throughout the war, much like Cecilia and Robbie's love. Their love lasted throughout their own person war, as well as the real Second World War. With many struggles, their love was kept intact. Although they were still very much in love with one another, neither of them made it past the war, and just like them, the vase was also broken after the war, with no way of being fixed. It was the end for both.
In the film, all that was mentioned about the vase was that it was "the most valuable thing we own." However, the reasons were not explained, therefore, the vase being broken by Cecilia and Robbie at the fountain, didn't have as much meaning, or impact for viewers, as it did in the novel; this is when their own "war" began.

Scene Transitions

McEwan didn't just write his novel by telling a story, he goes into depth by explaining the scenes as it happens as well as adding a different view; a view from someone just observing the situations; Briony's view. These different views and interpretations of the same scenes are extremely difficult to successfully capture on film; however, Wright accepted the challenge and succeeded.

The Fountain

The reversal of views in the film was a great move on Wrights part. In the novel, McEwan reveals the real scene first, and then goes to Briony looking out her window and witnessing the scene as it happens, but in the film, there's no third-person narrative; therefore, if the film was shown the same way as the novel, it would cause huge confusion to the viewers.

Showing Briony looking out her window at Cecilia and Robbie by the fountain first, helps viewers understand why Briony came to such a horrible conclusion. Not knowing at this point what truly occurs, it looks like Robbie is forcing Cecilia to undress herself in front of him. However, when the scene of what really happened is shown, viewers learn that Robbie was just stopping Cecilia from stepping on a piece of glass which was from the vase that had just broken, and that Cecilia was getting undressed and going into the fountain to collect the rest of the broken vase, not because Robbie was forcing her to do so.

Another detail that Wright added to this scene, which was not in the novel, is Robbie shouting "careful!" while Cecilia almost steps forward onto the piece of glass. Without this occurring, viewers wouldn't as easily understand why Briony thought what she thought after looking down as this scene is happening; this is the main reason of why Robbie looks like he's being forceful. In the novel, everything is being explained and therefore creating a better understanding for readers without adding the shout from Robbie.

Wright closes each of these fountain scenes with the same moment when Briony closes her window and looks directly into the camera. Re-showing this moment creates questions of what Briony is thinking and how she actually interpreted what she had just witnessed. In her eyes, you can see the innocent child transform into someone who is hurt, confused, and maybe even angry.

The Library

The library scene in the film was done very similar to the novel. Just as described in the novel, Briony was very shadowed due to the darkness; she was just a figure. Cecilia and Robbie were also shadowed, however, they were easier to see due to the lamp closer to them; they were more in the spotlight. 

Unlike like fountain scene, this time Wright did not reverse the different views of this scene, which in this case worked well. The scene begins with Briony noticing something shiny on the floor, which is what drew her into the library, after she realized in was Cecilia's earring. 

When Briony's view of the library occurrence is finished, the film immediately goes to Robbie arriving at the front door, which could cause a bit of confusion and questions of who Cecilia was with in the library if Robbie hasn't arrived yet. However, as the scene progresses, you see Cecilia's earring fall off, and unknowingly being stepped on my Robbie who is walking behind her through the library doors, which is when you realize this scene is what was really happening before and during the previous scene of Briony's view.

One thing Wright did change in this scene was when Cecilia told Robbie that she loves him. In the novel, Robbie was the first to say the "three simple words," but in the film, Cecilia said, "I love you" first. This change doesn't create any significant change to the story or events that occur after this scene. It just simply shows that Cecilia does in fact love Robbie, and it's already clear that Robbie feels the same way about her.

Just like the fountain scene, Wright ended these two different views of the library incident with the same moment of Briony's heart breaking for her sister, as she realizes; or rather, assumes, that her sister is being attacked by Robbie. Wright clearly had intentions on showing the hurt in Briony's eyes, and the worry, causing her to accuse Robbie of any future mishaps because of what she had already witnessed and how she interpreted each occurrence.

Music and Sound

Without knowing the thoughts and feelings a character is experiencing, as you do in a novel, sound in a film is extremely important when it comes to building emotion and anticipation. Different sounds can create any type of emotion, such as fear, sadness, joy, and even excitement. The right music and sound effects are what turns a good story into a great film, by allowing the viewer to experience a variety of emotions.

Music

The music in the scene when Robbie realizes he gave Briony the wrong letter to deliver to Cecilia creates huge anticipation. This scene is guaranteed to have viewers at the edge of their seats, wondering what the outcome is going to be. The music is upbeat and suspenseful, and the view of Robbie from the back, turning his head as he realizes his mistake, and quietly says, "Briony," just adds to the suspense of the scene. Then as he remembers the letter being folded on his desk at home, which the film flashes back to, the music begins to get louder and faster, followed by silence right before he screams her name with great urgency, "BRIONY!!!" The music, and even the silence throughout this scene continue to create suspense right up until the end of the scene.

Another great example of music in the film is the mixture of music during the scene at Dunkirk, giving off a vibe of mixed emotions. One minute the music is upbeat, the men are laughing, some even singing together, celebrating the fact that they've made it through the war alive. And then you hear the low, sad music, for those who are filled with sorrow and horror, looking around at everything destroyed around them, and no ships to take them home. Viewers are left with no choice but to feel strong emotion in this scene due to the music throughout it.

Sound Effects

Sound Effects also create great suspense and emotion to the film. An example of this is when Briony was out, in search for the twins. It was dark and quiet; with the sound of running water from the river, and a couple ducks fly down very suddenly and loudly, causing Briony to scream. The sound of the ducks creates fear, not only for Briony, but also for the viewers as well, which creates a sense of anticipation of what's to come. Briony's heavy breathing also has an impact on this scene, as it shows her own fear. 

Although the scene involving the ducks creates great fear and anticipation, it doesn't compare to the effects of the crashing water in the end scene, when Cecilia dies. The music is this scene is filled with sorrow and sadness. You can hear bombs all around them, and finally as the music gets louder, you hear the sound of water crashing in, down over the steps to where Cecilia is laying. And then the music goes quiet, as Cecilia drifts away, totally submerged in the water. The quietness after the sound of crashing water enhances emotions, and silently confirms Cecilia's death. Therefore, watching the film, and hearing these sounds, allows viewers to experience things they wouldn't by just reading the novel.

Voice over-lap/Shadowing

Shortly before Robbie came to Briony with his letter for Cecilia, Briony was alone writing her stories. Her voice was over-lapping each sentence over and over, creating a sense of chaos. She was on to her next thought before the previous thought was complete. Her mind was being flooding with ideas, as she was 100% into "story-mode." This sentence over sentence effect truly reveals that she was in her own world of fiction, which resulted in her creating her own horrible thoughts of Robbie after being asked to deliver his letter to Cecilia, which she read on the way.

In the novel, readers know Briony was creating stories, however, in the film, the sound of her voice over-lapping each thought, proves to viewers that she was greatly engaged in the world of storytelling, more so than what was described in the novel.
Another effect of voice over-lap, or in this case, voice shadowing, that creates emotion, is the repetition of Robbie thinking back to Cecilia's voice saying, "come back... come back to me..." This demonstrates the longing Robbie has to see her, and the determination he has to get back home to her. But this isn't the only time you hear these words, it is repeated many times throughout the film. Cecilia says it to Robbie when he is being taken away, when they meet during the war, in her letters to him, and finally to bring him back to his calm place after being furious when Briony visits them years later (real or not, at this point it was believed they were both alive and well). These four words "come back to me," being repeated enhances their love for one another, and creates more of an urgency for viewers wanting Robbie to make it home to her safely.

Please View:

Come back to me

Casting

While reading a novel, people have a tendency to create their own visual of the characters with help from what's described of them in the novel. One would also expect siblings to look somewhat alike, which Wright did a fabulous job with, especially when it comes to the cousins from the north. I would personally assume it to be extremely difficult to find actors, who look very much related, not to mention identical.
In a lot of cases when it comes to film and identical twin characters, the same actor is used for both roles, however, Wright was able to find identical twins; Charlie Von Simson and Felix Von Simson, who fit the characteristics of Jackson and Pierrot. Not only did he get lucky with the Simson twins, Wright was also able to cast Juno Temple as their older sister Lola, who looks very much like she could be their actual sister, as well as being a fantastic actress.

Temple fits the role of Lola extremely well. She was able to play the "pity me" scenes extremely well, making the film that much more believable to the viewers. For example, in the scene where Lola asked to be Arabella in Briony's play, when she says, "it'll be the only good thing that's happened to me in months," you can see the pout behind her facial expression, and the drama and whininess in her voice, making it believable that Briony would feel guilty in denying her the role, therefore giving Lola what she wants.

One, or rather, three of the most memorable aspects regarding casting in this film are the three different Briony characters. Thirteen-year-old Briony is played by Saoirse Ronan, who did an amazing job portraying the character of a foolish little girl who is so caught up in storytelling that she doesn't even realize the extent of her own false accusations. Briony then grows into an eighteen-year-old young lady, played by Romola Garai, who is now in nursing school, and realizing the depth of what she had done as a child. And finally, Vanessa Redgrave plays the elderly Briony, who is now suffering from vascular dementia, which will eventually result in the loss of her memory, potentially erasing everything she had done and who she was and has become, in her own mind -- the loss of her own identity.
Ronan, Garai, and Redgrave all did a fabulous job being casted as Briony; however, were there too many similarities between them? Something specific? Not as actresses, or even the natural physical features, although they were believable as the same character of different ages, there was something too similar. Although I think Wright did a great job with the casting of the film, in this case I think he went overboard with the details of Briony's character, as she gets older. To be more specific, the hairstyle of Briony through-out the film doesn't change! The hair clip is cute and acceptable for a child, however, how often do you see a person keep their childhood hairstyle throughout their lives, as a child, adult, and even as a senior? I'm willing to bet, never. It makes sense that Wright wanted them to all resemble the same character, but each "Briony" is in a different stage of life, and even different years, which should result in different styles.

Please View:

Interview with Romola Garai

Landscape and Setting

The Tallis Estate

The "Atonement" story takes place mostly in and around the Tallis estate, which is located in England. The film begins with a lot of focus on the mansion and beautiful landscape that surrounds the home. Nothing was left out, from the enormous home with beautiful features, to the forestry and gardens that surround the mansion, and the huge grassy field which is the home of what is probably the most important; or one of the most important aspects of the film; the fountain.
Wright and production designer, Sarah Greenwood, were extremely fortunate to have stumbled upon the Stokesay Court property. Not only does the mansion portray great wealth and isolation due to the forest areas surrounding the property, it also had an existing fountain base for Greenwood to work with, making the transformation into the Tallis estate slightly less difficult to complete. The property already had many of the features they were looking for, it just had to be livened up a bit, with a few of Greenwoods touches here and there. When Greenwood successfully completed her task, the transformation was ready for the over six weeks of filming, both inside and outside the mansion, as the "Tallis" estate.

Dunkirk

Redcar seafront, a "peaceful" resort, was transformed into the remains of Dunkirk for the after war scene in the film. The transformation took several weeks to complete as well as 260 tons of sand and rubble being relocated. Benches, flagpoles, railings, and streetlights were also removed, and even the re-construction of many buildings took place to create the war-destructed Dunkirk. Although this transformation was no easy task, it was a huge success, portraying Dunkirk extremely well for this scene in the film.

Please View:

Stokesay Court

Transformation of Redcar

Historical Context

The historical context was portrayed very well in the film, from the sound of the typewriter, which the movie begins with, to the clothing, vehicles, furniture, etc., and finally the war scene. Right from the beginning of the film, viewers know the story is based in an older time period, which in this case the story began in the year 1935. Wright did a great job capturing McEwan's description of all aspects dealing with the historical context of the story.

Clothing

The choice of clothing in a film has a huge significance to the time frame in which the plot of the story occurs, and Wright, as well as his designer Jacqueline Durran, did an amazing job capturing the historical look in each piece of clothing shown in the film.
McEwan spent a lot of time in the novel writing about Cecilia picking out the perfect gown to wear to dinner, and he described the look as, "a mermaid who rose to meet her in her own full-length mirror." Durran, did an absolutely, fabulous job portraying this look, making a beautiful, silky dress which flows with Cecilia's body, as well as giving the gown a thirties style to fit the time frame of the story.
Durran also successfully captured the thirties/forties look with Briony's outfits as well. From the simple white dress she wears as a child, with the folded down collar, to the old-fashioned nurses uniform when she's older. It all fits perfectly into the historical context of the story.

Furniture/Design

Furniture and decorative objects are another key factor in portraying history in a film, and once again, Wright does not disappoint. The Tallis house is filled with what looks to be antique items, such as the old fashioned lamp, and the golden-colour picture frames and mirrors. The floral design was also very popular back in the thirties, which is very much a part of the Tallis home. The curved shaped couch has a floral design, the floor mat, and even every wall in the house seems to be covered with a floral design wall paper, all adding to the thirties/forties based theme of the story.

The War Scene

The Second World War is a huge part of our history. There were over one hundred million people who served in the military, and it was also the most widespread war of our history, resulting in many deaths. This was in fact, the deadliest combat of all time. Therefore, including this piece of our past in Atonement, gives the story huge historical context.

The war scene in the film was done incredibly well, although there were a few things that were left out, such as the scene where Robbie tried to save a woman and her young child from a bombing. If that were shown in this scene it would have created more emotion, portraying Robbie as the caring man that he is, risking his own life to save a child who is a total stranger to him. However, this scene is still extremely heart wrenching. Seeing all these men wanting nothing more but to get home to their families, seeing all of their injuries and shredded clothing, and the desperation in Robbie's eyes when he realized he couldn't get back to Cecilia when they arrived at the beach and saw no ships awaiting them, is just torturous to watch. Even seeing Briony at the hospital, the anticipation you get when you think she's going to come across Robbie in the crowds of wounded soldiers is incredible, especially knowing that he'd gone through all of this for a crime that he didn't commit, all because of her false accusations. And what's more heart wrenching to know, is even though this whole story was written by someone page-by-page, scene-by-scene, these war and hospital scenes actually occurred in our history, bringing this scene so much more importance and emotion to the story as a whole.

The Views

Joe Wright; Director of the award winning film, Atonement, did a fantastic job portraying original storyteller, Ian McEwan's view from his novel, Atonement. Although the film in my opinion, is as close as it could get to the novel, the story telling process between film and novel are different, as to be expected, and both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. For example, in the novel, McEwan was able to explain to his readers exactly how the characters were feeling and what they were thinking; he was able to tell the story from a first person perspective, as well as third person. Wright on the other hand was unable to do this, however, he was able to rearrange scenes, and focus the camera on certain things from different angles to create a better understanding for his viewers.

"A book is an illusion, a series of symbols on a page that create a narrative in your mind. There are as many different versions of the book as there are readers of it. I’ve made an adaptation of the book that happened in my head as I read it." -Joe Wright says about his process of creating the Atonement film.

We will be exploring the different views of storytelling through film vs. novel, and all the different aspects involved, such as, the historical context, landscape and setting, casting, music and sound, transition of views, important "missing's", and of course the reality of "seeing is believing."

Please view:

Official "Atonement" Movie Trailer

Exclusive Interview with Director Joe Wright