"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.