Review of Atonement (2007) by Robert A — 11 Oct 2017

Atonement slipped my attention for a decade or so. What a film to miss!

Thoughtful. Intelligent. I even watched some period drama it seems!

The film is from 2007 based on the novel published in 2001 by Ian McEwann starring a cast including James McAvoy, Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch (with a bit of Vanessa Redgrave near the end!).

It begins in 1935 before the outbreak of World War Two in a posh mansion that could come straight from a period drama I refuse to watch!

A 13 year old called Briony has a rather startling imagination. You see she writes plays it seems and has a teenage crush on her older sister Cecilia's adult boyfriend Robbie (James McAvoy and Keira Knightley).

When she witnesses the couple's sexed up relationship she exacted a revenge on Robbie by falsely accusing him of a rape she witnesses ruining Robbie's life and momentarily the blossoming relationship he enjoyed with Cecilia.

Robbie ends up in prison only earning release by serving in the harrowing battlefields of northern France in the war.

The film explores the harrowing conditions including the retreat at Dunkirk in a precursor to that film really.

Briony in later life becomes to regret her actions of her youth and by now a novelist attempts to release her guilt and atone her actions in an autobiographical novel that is explained on a talk show by pensioner Briony (Vanessa Redgrave).

I can't believe this film from director Joe Wright escaped my attention and can only atone its greatness by giving it a positive review.