Venice opener

I never saw the Colin Firth TV version of Pride & Prejudice, although I adored Joe Wright's film of the Jane Austen classic with its realistic feel, roving camera and sensational performance from Keira Knightley who deservedly scooped an Oscar nomination but was shockingly denied one by (the majority of) BAFTA voters. She had mine. I mention this only because I'm pleased to see that Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel Atonement, again starring Knightley and the very talented James McAvoy, will open the 64th Venice Film Festival. I love Venice and with Tim Burton picking up a lifetime award and Paul Thomas Anderson's latest apparently set to premiere there, it's looking like this year has all the makings of a vintage one.