Atonement User Reviews

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About

At a wealthy country house in 1935, 13 year old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) witnesses a terrible event she doesn't understand when her cousin Lola (Juno Temple) is raped. In confusion she blames the housekeeper's son, Robbie (James McAvoy) who is sentenced to prison (and eventually the war) while his lover and Briony's sister Cecelia (Keira Knightley) is left distraught. Four years later, Briony (Romola Garai) is now a nurse and trying to seek atonement for her actions. But is it too late?

Good

This is such a beautifully made film first and foremost. The cinematography is just stunning to say the least, even from the beginning we see simple scenes make great impact by something as small as the sound of a typewriter. Flash forward and we have a dramatic, gritty display of the tragedy of the war in an almost silent, haunting fashion. The acting is incredible, Keira Knightley plays such a fragile yet headstrong character that no one else could breath life into except her. Ronan is also a stand-out, and it's not hard to see why she is exploding into the world of Hollywood recently. McAvoy rounds off the lead cast with an empathetic, saddening portrayal that is so genuine.

Bad

I generally have no complaints, but if I had to be picky, I'd have to complain about Romola Garai, who plays the late-teens Briony, she doesn't have the same screen-demand that Ronan has and isn't on her level. While Garai is a great actress, she's overshadowed by her younger self.

Overall

Joe Wright directs this one of a kind film beautifully, he thinks about every single aspect of the film and shows true dedication with this amazing movie. It's a script that's full of life; containing the tragedy, love, loss and suffering of it all. A great cast of young actors makes it a must see!