Power In Atonement

In the 2007 film, Atonement the director Joe Wright uses intense themes and explicit symbolism through the characters to explore the themes truism and misconceptions. He uses this comment on how abuse of power is more vicious by people who are seemingly civilised. Briony, the main protagonist and arguably the antagonist, uses her position as a member of the so-called upper class to manipulate and potentially destroy the lives of the people around her. She vindictively accuses servant Robbie of an obscene crime that he did not commit resulting in a rather tragic sequence of events that leads to his untimely death. Another example is Paul Marshall, who also uses his position in society as a weapon to fulfil his ludicrous desires and then escape the deserved consequences. Both of them

Both non-diegetic sound and mis-en scenes are excellently portrayed film techniques that the director uses to convey this theme to the audience. Despite their civilised exterior Wright injects certain aspects in the scenes such as the intense background music, to highlight their dangerous power.
Joe Wright uses the film techniques, Mis-en scenes, non-diegetic sound and camera shots in the movie through Briony’s character to show how misconception and innocence may result in the abuse of power. Mis-en-scenes such as the actress, Saoirse Ronan’s costumes and hair style are used to physically characterise Briony. She is often shown wearing a white frock up to her ankles, her hair is perfectly straight and evenly distributed on both sides of her head. Overall her appearance distinguishes her as an innocent and civilised young lady of the British upper-class. However, the non-diegetic sound of the typewriter draws contrasts between her physical appearance and emotional perspective. Sound is fast-paced and symbolises her manipulative nature and her ability to bend the truth