Discussing Ian McEwan's Atonement

Next fortnight we will be discussing Atonement by Ian McEwan, now also a Hollywood film starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Have you read the book or seen the film? What were your reactions?

Join the discussion on our website www.gulfnews.com or email us at unwind@gulfnews.com. Don't forget to send us your picture. Also, tell us what you are reading right now.

I loved the movie! I was so moved by it, and i thought the acting was great! I love James Avery and i have a whole new respect for Keira Knightly! Cant wait to start reading the book
Farah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2008, 14:05

This is a powerful movie with a compelling story and excellent acting. Atonement is a rare movie that actually I adored so much that I am going to hunt down a copy of the book just to see the comparisons. Nomatter how much I desire to write in depth about everyaspect of the movie I just can't, everthing in thisfilm was perfect, the characters, screenplay,cinematography and the unbelievable music score. Thestoryline is brilliant, the film is about a lie that13 year old girl Briony tellis, and how it affects thelives of others for several decades. Worth watching!the film was beautiful, brilliant and emotional.
Manzoor Ali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2008, 08:26

Its a nice movie and saw it twice. Nicely depicted the survival of two snipers once experienced and the other new blood and intelligent. With the love scenes between r really touching. nice direction and perfectly implemented with right battle scenes.
Mujeebuddin
Dubai,Uae
Posted: June 11, 2008, 16:53

i watch the movie , and i love it ,and i hope to read the book too in da Future
SAM
Gaza,Palestine
Posted: June 11, 2008, 13:15

I read it years ago; the movie was not as good enough as the book. I always, prefer the book to film based on books. However, I enjoyed the story line, especially the twists till the very last.
Beno
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 11, 2008, 10:52

watched it and i loved it..it was a bit confusing but very moving
Mariam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 11, 2008, 06:16

I wanted to shoot myself after watching the film. Not because it moved me, but because it was so mind-numbingly boring and formulaic that I was ready to end my life. Skip this one!
BB
Atlanta,USA
Posted: June 10, 2008, 17:54

Great Movie! Deeply moved at the end.
Thomas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 20:17

The book was fantastic, but the movie, even though more or less faithful to the book, failed to reach me on an emotional level.
lin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 19:34

Boring movie, very slow rhythm, yet new ideas, I liked how they shot the harbour scene continuosly for 5 1/2 minutes though I think it was not nessesary for the movie, 2 out of 5
moe
abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 18:20

It was a great movie, though it wouldn't be liked by young people. I certainly enjoyed it.
Ramin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 14:56

I've seen the movie and it was good.
Joy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 12:31

I read the book first followed by the movie. As always, it never seems to translate to the screen quite so well as it appears in the book.However, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it's twists
Andy T
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 12:11

It's about LYING- and the after efects that ruin human beings.Just one lie and it created a GULF between people.
eleeza
Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
Posted: June 09, 2008, 10:51

One of the worst films I've ever seen. Terrible acting, terrible directing - very sophomoric efforts all around.
Cora
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 10:30

I read the book a few years ago and found it very moving. When I saw the film it didn't have as much of an impact on me. I found it much harder to empathise with the characters. Dramatising a good book is always a difficult challenge and I nearly always prefer the book to the film. It also didn't help watching the film in the UAE with some sections cut.
Anita
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 08:07

I thought this film was excellent; beautifully filmed and really well acted. A very moving story.
Carol
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 08:02

The movie is an epic , I really enjoyed the story, and the passion as well, also i was interested in the directing , and the movie included alot of new shooting techniques, especially the long ONE-TAKE shot , it was amazingly done!
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 09, 2008, 01:36

I have seen the film and it is extremely moving and aesthetically beautiful. While you do get some sense how the ending will be - World War II movies tend to be existentialist -certain plot cues give you hope that maybe what you think will happen won't actually happen. However, everything weaves together in the end, there is surprising sense of closure in the last act.
Maliha
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 08, 2008, 22:52

The book is so much better, I saw the film last year and came out feeling depressed, but not sad...
Majid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 08, 2008, 18:46

I was able to watch the movie last night. very good plot. The story is very moving and you'll learn valuable lessons in love.
Chito
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 08, 2008, 17:02