Joe Wright Atonement Comparison

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Joe Wright is known for the three novel adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Ian McEwan’s Atonement, and Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina as well as Hanna (2011) and the most recent film Pan (2015). In Wright’s first Pride and Prejudice (2005) is about Elizabeth Bennet with her parents and four sisters living in the English countryside, Longbourn with their mother trying to find a wealthy suitor for her oldest daughters. Atonement (2007) was directed by Wright several years later. This film follows the lives of Cecilia Tallis, Robbie Turner, young lovers that are torn apart by a lie told by Cecilia’s younger sister, Briony, and the consequences they face. Lastly, in Anna Karenina (2012) was able to bring to life the story of an …show more content…

In this scene Cecilia answers the door to Robbie and instead of saying “hello” to one another, Robbie says “It was a mistake” referring to the wrong version of the letter he sent with Briony for Cecilia in which wasn’t suppose to be read by anyone. This is then followed by a short moment of silence with Robbie and Cecilia with the camera switching from Cecilia to Robbie then back to Cecilia illustrating an awkward silence between the two. Another scene in the film that uses the shot/reverse shot is a conversation between Robbie and another soldier when the soldier is waking Robbie because he was shouting in his sleep. Once again in both scenes there is only one subject in focus as an exchange of dialogue occurs and the camera switches between …show more content…

While Cecilia’s expression stays the same whenever the camera shoots from Robbie’s point of view. The later scene between Robbie and the soldier where, although the conversation doesn’t take place with another major character of the story, the viewer gets a sense of the bond that is formed with those who have been in war and sharing a similar experience. Even though the viewer can’t see the soldier’s expression as he strokes Robbie’s head the viewer gets an understanding that the soldier is trying to give Robbie comfort, compassion, and something to look forward to in the morning. Going home. Just like in Pride and Prejudice the scenes both contain eyeline matches allowing the audience to see the point of view of the character off-screen and provide continuity of the conversation carried between characters with the use of the shot/reverse shot. Although there is a small amount of dialogue exchanged between Robbie and Cecilia, their relationship displayed in the scene is uncomfortable between them as situation of the latter leads them to confessing their feelings for each other later on. The relationship between Robbie and the soldier is one of comradeship as they, along with other soldiers, wait to be

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