Similarities Between The Great Gatsby And Atonement

In the films, “The Great Gatsby” and “Atonement” directed by Baz Luhrmann and Joe Wright respectively, the stories are told from one perspective. Briony Talis’s agenda throughout “Atonement “, is to atone for her actions by “rewriting” the past and make herself look and feel better. In “The Great Gatsby“, Nick Carraway’s agenda is to redeem Jay Gatsby’s character, by making Gatsby look better than the other charactors. The directors support the characters agendas with the use of filming techniques, however Joe Wright is the most successful in portraying Briony’s agenda
In “Atonement” Briony attempts to atone for her actions while also making herself look and feel better. Briony uses her young age and immaturity as an excuse for her actions. When she goes to visit her sister, Cecilia Talis, Briony says that she was too young to understand what she saw and what the consequences would be. Briony’s “misinterpretation” is supported by Joe Wright with the use of lighting and repeating a scene from her perspective. The fountain scene is repeated to show Briony’s perspective as suggested by a slide show on Prezi compiled by Mikayla Paterson. In the library when Briony sees Cecilia and Robbie Turner being intimate, her face is half in the light; half in a shadow to emphasise her confusion. These filming techniques are extremely effective in showing the audience Briony’s perception, allowing the audience to identify with Briony, and manipulating them by making them believe that