In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony’s vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family’s housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony’s headstrong older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony -- who has a crush on Robbie -- is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested -- and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan.
No-one has rated this movie yet - be the first! You must be logged in to rate a movie.
My brain tends to turn to mush in the presence of greatness. This makes it difficult when I want to write about something that I thought was truly brilliant...
My brain tends to turn to mush in the presence of greatness. This makes it difficult when I want to write about something that I thought was truly brilliant. It is so much easier to write about something that is rubbish.
Atonement is pure poetry on film. From the hazy, dreamy, hopeful days of 1935, a destructive act of spite, the horrors of Dunkirk (with one of the most fantastic long takes I have seen in a cinema for a very long), to the aftermath and a devastating "happy" ending, it is a magnificent and moving film, beautifully directed by Joe Wright.
I have never really rated Keira Knightley or understood her popularity but I can't say that anymore. Atonement is easily the best thing Keira Knightley has done. We should not forget to mention the pitch perfect performances from James McAvoy and Romola Garai. They share as much screen time as Knightley and are as impressive. Wonderful film... a 2008 Oscar contender im sure.
