Typewriter In Atonement

Atonement is a 2007 film directed by Joe Wright and scored by Dario Marianelli, that explores the course of events from the main characters during World War II that are followed by young Briony’s false accusations towards Robbie. The opening scene from Atonement provides music that parallels Briony’s sense of urgency that establishes her behavior and character.
One of the elements that is notable about the opening music is the incorporation of the typewriter tapping noise as a rhythmic tool. The use of the typewriter rhythm from the film music differs from Briony’s physical use of her typewriter because the rhythm can be heard in the non-diegetic space in a specific pattern, while Briony types it in a natural manner. These two elements may have different functions, but they still establish a historical time of World War II, due to the
However, the fast tempo, soft and minor tone of the music in the background in this moment suggests a foreshadowing of the conflicting relationship with one another, although it has not been directly stated in the dialogue. This thus heightens the psychological atmosphere, which is due to the incorporation of this musical section, and also allows the audience to feel cautious about how their relation would progress later in the story.
When she walks down the hallway and closes the door behind her, the music underscores her movements, since the rhythm can be heard paralleling her footsteps, with the final two notes accenting the door closing and Briony’s head turn. The music thus provides a closure to the opening scene, but also acts as a scene transition due to the final note stepping in at the beginning of the next scene. What this final note also suggests is a sense of accomplishment for Briony, since she has completed her task of showing her finished play to her