Care for an ATONEMENT?

Young Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) has always been fascinated with writing. That day she was having a hard time convincing her visiting cousins Lola Quincey (Juno Temple) and her twin brothers to practice a play she just wrote. Out of frustration she went to her room and witnessed from her window her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the son of their housekeeper (Brenda Blethyn), in an act she perceived to be sexual tension between the two. She didn't realize that the two are actually in love although they have yet to figure out their feelings for each other.

Soon after, Robbie decided to write Cecilia a letter explaining his behavior. On his way to the Tallis' mansion for a dinner with the family, as per the invitation of the eldest of the Tallis siblings Leon (Patrick Kennedy), he chanced upon Briony and handed her the letter so she could give it to Cecilia herself. It was rather late when he realized that it was the wrong letter, the one with explicit content. Unknown to Robbie, Briony read the letter prior to giving it to her older sister, and she started to believe that Robbie is a sex maniac. When Briony gave it to Cecilia, the latter made the former confess that she did open the letter from Robbie.

Prior to the dinner, Briony again saw Robbie and Cecilia, this time making love for the first time, at the library. Both kept their composure upon seeing her, but Briony again thought of this as an assault to her sister.

At the dinner table, Briony is asked by her mother to fetch the twins, only to return later to tell them that the boys have run away to return to their own home. A search immediately followed and Briony goes off alone to look for them. Her search turned futile, but what she witnessed was even harder to bear. Armed by a flashlight, she saw Lola being raped by a man she assumed to be Robbie. After her confession, everyone now believes that Robbie is indeed Lola's attacker.

Meanwhile, Robbie is seen returning to the estate, with the twins in tow. He is then arrested and thrown to prison as they based the arrest on Briony's testimony alone.

As the movie moves four years forward, we now see Robbie as a private in the army, after being released in prison on condition that he enlists. He reunited with Cecilia before his deployment, and promised to return to her after the war. On the other hand, Cecilia is now a nurse in the London corps, and so as her sister Briony. Cecilia however has stopped contact with her family after the tragic incident.

After attempts of trying to contact Cecilia, Briony was unsuccessful. One day she saw her cousin Lola on TV, with her fiance Paul Marshall (Benedict Cumberbatch), who owns a chocolate factory. It then occurred to her that it was actually Paul, who was a guest of their brother Leon that time, who raped Lola, after having visions of the night the crime happened. She actually saw his face, right before she dropped the flashlight to her feet.

Briony then decided to go to Lola's wedding. The couple just passed her by, with Paul literally dragging poor Lola to the door. Afterwards, she went to see Cecilia on the last address that she was able to secure, and there she saw Robbie, too. She confessed what she now knows to be the truth and she is willing to testify. But after having been convinced by the two to tell all that she knows to a solicitor, it dawned on them that Paul cannot be implicated now that he has married Lola already. He's got immunity after all.

And now we have an elderly Briony, now a known English writer, in a show talking about her latest novel ATONEMENT. She admitted that it is her last (since she is dying of dementia) though this is the first one she actually wrote. The novel, she said, is autobiographical, though she had to change some events. She also revealed that Cecilia and Robbie actually never saw each other after Robbie enlisted, for Robbie died prior to their evacuation while Cecilia was one of those drowned in a tube station a few months after Robbie died. Briony was sorry for everything she did, and that with the novel she wished she could have made things different for her sister and her true love.

Quotable Quote:

"So, my sister and Robbie were never able to have the time together they both so longed for... and deserved. Which ever since I've... ever since I've always felt I prevented. But what sense of hope or satisfaction could a reader derive from an ending like that? So in the book, I wanted to give Robbie and Cecilia what they lost out on in life. I'd like to think this isn't weakness or... evasion... but a final act of kindness. I gave them their happiness. "

- Briony Tallis


*****

Based on a novel by Ian McEwan, this film is definitely one of the best I've seen lately. It's a perfect combination of romance, mystery, drama, and suspense. I sooo love James in drama, and Keira, oh my, she really is an awesome talent.

Whew, a book on Shopping Addiction!

Rebecca "Becky" Bloomwood is a twentysomething financial journalist in London who has this shopping addiction. She lives in a posh London loft with her best friend Suze, who came from a well-to-do family and is just trying to make a name for herself.

Since credit statements continue to pile at her office desk and even at home, she decided to take a part-time job at a local retail store which turned out to be a disaster. In the end, she's left with yet unpaid bills.

At the course of her press events, she often bumps into Luke Brandon, head of Brandon Communications, a PR firm whose clients are mostly associated with Becky's assignment. In some ways, Becky is attracted to Luke though she constantly denies that to Suze.

One day, Luke invited her to accompany him in buying a suitcase. It turned out it was for Luke's girlfriend Sacha. Becky was in complete outrage.

Furthermore, her shopping addiction continued. She even tried to escape by going to her parent's house and pretended that everything's okay.

But one great article she wrote for a newspaper changed her life. Even if it means battling it out on TV with Luke Brandon himself didn't let Becky lose her composure. In the end, Luke gave way and admitted his fault on national TV.

After that stint, Becky was invited by the show to have a regular slot for them to talk about what else but financial matters. And because of this, she was able to settle her bills...for now.

And what happened to Becky and Luke? Happy ending I guess!

Quotable quotes:

In fact, I think, they should list shopping as a cardiovascular activity. My heart never beats as fast as it does when I see a "reduced by 50 percent" sign.

- after having ran like an obstacle course to buy her Denny and George scarf

That moment. That instant when your fingers curl round the handles of a shiny, uncreased bag-and all the gorgeous new things inside it become yours. What's it like? It's like going hungry for days, then cramming your mouth full of warm buttered toast. It's like waking up and realizing it's the weekend. It's like the better moments of sex. Everything else is blocked out of your mind. It's pure, selfish pleasure.

- Becky's feeling after finally having the Denny and George scarf on her hands


Life would be a lot easier if conversations were rewindable and erasable, like videos. Or if you could instruct people to disregard what you just said, like in a courtroom.Please strike from the record all references to starter homes and limed oak kitchens.

- after a conversation with a childhood friend's parents


I feel a bit thrown by all this. I don't have a game plan, I don't have prospects. Maybe I'm hopeless, too. Maybe I should rethink my career. Oh God, this is depressing.

-on finding out her friend and fellow financial journalist, Elly Granger, is to be a fund manager at Wetherby's

For the first time, I'm realizing how Luke Brandon sees me. How they all see me. I'm just the comedy turn, aren't I? I'm the scatty girl who gets things wrong and makes people laugh. The girl who didn't know SBG and Rutland Bank had merged. The girl no one would ever think of taking seriously.

- after spending a day with Luke Brandon looking for the perfect suitcase, and finding out it was for his girlfriend Sacha all along

"Don't go," I hear myself say, and blush furiously. "Don't go yet. We could just . . ." I swallow. "Talk, or something."
I look up and meet his eyes, and something fearful starts to pound within me. Slowly he walks toward me, until he's standing just in front of me. I can just smell the scent of his aftershave and hear the crisp cotton rustle of his shirt as he moves. My whole body's prickling with anticipation. Oh God, I want to touch him. But I daren't. I daren't move anything.
"We could just talk, or something," he echoes, and slowly lifts his hands until they cup my face.
And then he kisses me.

- OMG, the typical SMB (style mo bulok) between two individuals; Sophie and Luke as they went up their hotel room

MMM.
Bliss.
Lying in the most comfortable bed in the world, feeling all dreamy and smiley and happy, letting the morning sunlight play on my closed eyelids. Stretching my arms above my head, then collapsing contentedly onto an enormous mound of pillows. Oh, I feel good. I feel . . . sated. Last night was absolutely . . .
Well, let's just say it was . . .
Oh, come on. You don't need to know that. Anyway, can't you use your imagination? Of course you can.

- after spending a night with Luke Brandon at the Ritz


*****
Yeah, I'm a bit late for this one. I only got hooked to the series lately, and honestly, I have finished the entire titles of the series (woohoo!).

Good thing I don't have a credit card, haha! I would have been the next Becky for I find it hard to fight the urge. Shoes, clothes, bags...OMG, the list could go on and on!

I'm excited for the movie version with Isla Fisher in the title role.

***The photos are from the film which is said to come out Valentine's day next year. (Credits to justjared.com)

What about JUNO?

The film tells the story of Juno (Ellen Page), a high school junior who suddenly became pregnant courtesy of her friend (and admirer) Paulie (Michael Cera).

Her first instinct was to get rid of her unborn child. But while at the clinic, fear came to her. She then asked the help of her best friend Leah (Olivia Thirlby) in finding the perfect adoptive parents for her child. In the end they chose Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) and Mark (Jason Bateman) from an ad they saw from Pennysavers magazine.

After that, Juno decided to tell her dad (J.K. Simmons) and stepmother (Allison Janney). At first they thought she was expelled or was into drugs. But when she explained that she's continuing with the pregnancy and that she's already found the to-be parents for her unborn child, her parents decided to just understand Juno's situation, though they were a bit shocked that she's already sexually active.

Juno's father accompanied her in meeting Mark and Vanessa. The meeting went well and they agreed on close adoption, meaning Juno will never receive any news about her kid's growing up years.

As per Juno's relationship with Paulie, it continued to be platonic, even if it was evident they both like each other. When Juno found out Paulie had asked another girl to the prom, she was pissed. Paulie, on the other hand, explained that it was Juno's idea in the first place.

As her pregnancy progressed, Juno paid Vanessa and Mark visits at their house for updates. It turned out Mark and Juno have the same taste in music, film, and pop culture. And before their likeness for each other gets flirtatious, Mark told Juno he's leaving Vanessa. He said he isn't ready to be a father, and he wants to pursue other things.

Mark and Vanessa had a heated argument in front of Juno, so she left feeling sad and disappointed. She returned to the couple's house after a while and left a note for Vanessa.

Meanwhile, after winning a track competition in school, Paulie noticed that Juno was nowhere in sight. Sensing she's already in labor, he hurriedly went to the hospital, and he was right all along. He comforted Juno after her delivery, and they both decided not to see the baby.

Furthermore, Vanessa can be seen in the nursery area. This time she's having the baby as a single parent.

Inside the baby's room, Vanessa has replaced a photo of Mark and her with the note from Juno that says, "Vanessa: If you're still in, I'm still in. - Juno."

The film closes with Juno riding her bike to Paulie's house. Then they both sang and played their guitars. Afterwards, they shared a kiss.


*****

Ellen Page did a superb performance here, definitely worthy of her Oscar nod this year. Her character seems innocent and fragile, but wait until you get to hear her speak, haha! Even Michael Cera was awesome in his portrayal of Paulie, who at first glance may look gullible, but a handsome gullible at that.

I also like Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons for their very convincing performance.

I love how this film have somehow conveyed a pro-life position just like Knocked Up. I love that Juno decided to go on with her pregnancy, and with her life afterwards. And I love that there were no pressure on both sides to get the young lovers tie the knot just for the sake of their baby.

With only a budget of $6.5-M, this film has now reached $172,178,392 as of March 1, 2008 worldwide.

Kudos to the film's writer Diablo Cody (real name Brook Busey-Hunt, thank God) for winning both the Academy and the BAFTA.

It may seem ironic that Juno and Paulie's relationship took the next step only after everything that happened. But life is indeed ironic - you may never know what's in store for you.