How Kenneth Branagh and Boyd Holbrook Approached Playing Real-Life People in ‘Atonement’

"Atonement" is a film filled with genuine tragedy. In 2003, U.S. Marine Lou D’Alessandro (Boyd Holbrook) and his team open fire on two seemingly hostile vehicles in Baghdad. Regrettably, three passengers lose their lives before it's discovered that those vehicles were transporting members of a single family. Ten years later, Lou returns to San Diego, plagued by the incident, lacking support from Veterans Affairs, and unable to resume the life he once led before the war.

The story, based on a 2012 New Yorker article by Dexter Filkins, also features Mariam (Hiam Abbass), the family's matriarch, who starts a new life in California with her daughter and young family. Mariam is introduced to journalist Michael Reid (Kenneth Branagh), who was present in Baghdad during the tragedy. Lou approaches Michael in hopes of arranging a meeting with Mariam.

Reed Van Dyk, the film's writer-director and Oscar nominee for his live-action short "DeKalb Elementary," discusses his approach to portraying real-life individuals as opposed to fictional characters. Abbass explains her preference for not meeting the individuals she portrays, focusing instead on bringing her emotional sensitivity to the fictional portrayal, thus giving the story a more authentic feel.

Holbrook, on the other hand, reviewed extensive audio interviews with Lou and Reed's research, distilling emotional elements to infuse the performance with authenticity. Branagh, however, sought to meet Filkins to understand how the story came to light, the journalist's objectives, and the fortuitous nature of Filkins' discovery. He asked specifics about Filkins' methodology, which provided valuable insights for his portrayal.