Atonement 2007 R, 126 min. Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Joe Wright Cast: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harriet Walter, Daniel Mays, Juno Temple, Nonso Anozie, Julia West, Felix von Simson, Charlie von Simson, Peter Wight
The story begins in Surrey, England, during 1935 when an aspiring writer, 13-year-old Briony Tallis, falsely accuses her sister Cecilia's (Keira Knightley) boyfriend Robbie (James McAvoy) of a rape that he did not commit. Robbie is sent to prison. Five years later, World War II has begun, Robbie is released from prison and sent to fight in France, and Robbie and Cecilia have not forgotten each other. Briony is now an 18 year old in nurses training, realizes the mistake she made in her accusation five years ago, and will spend most of the rest of her life trying to atone for that mistake. Vanessa Redgrave takes the role of the older Briony as she suffers because of her earlier action. The film received an Academy Award for Best Original Score; six other nominations nominations included Best Picture and Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan).
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Creation 2010 PG-13, 108 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Jon Amiel Cast: Paul Bettany, Jennifer Connelly, Jeremy Northam, Martha West, Toby Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Carter, Teresa Churcher, Zak Davies, Harrison Sansostri, Christopher Dunkin, Pauline Stone
In mid-1800s' England, scientist Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany) and his religiously devout wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly) are raising their four children when their daughter, Annie (Martha West) dies at age 10. Charles is preparing to publish his revolutionary book on evolution, "The Origin of the Species," but grief and objections from Emma must be dealt with, and Charles must come to terms with his own religious views.
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The Other Boleyn Girl 2008 PG-13, 115 min. Genre: Drama / Romance
Director: Justin Chadwick Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Morrissey, Benedict Cumberbatch, Oliver Coleman, Ana Torrent, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Cox, Juno Temple, Andrew Garfield
In England during the 16th century, King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) plans to get rid of his wife Catherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent) who has not produced a male heir. The Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) sees the solution to Henry's problem as a way to benefit his family. His brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Boleyn (Mark Rylance), has two daughters–Mary (Scarlett Johansson) and Anne (Natalie Portman)–and they decide that Anne is the one who should be Henry's consort. Henry is more interested in Mary, and she, instead of Anne, becomes his mistress. Anne, however, has her eyes set on becoming Queen of England. Time passes, and Henry becomes bored with Mary, divorces Catherine, breaks with the Roman Catholic Church, and marries Anne. But, as history shows, they will not live happily ever after, and the guillotine awaits Anne.
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| 1. Atonement (2007)
2. Creation (2010)
3. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
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