Review of Atonement (2007) by Critic M — 31 Jan 2014

In 1935 England a young privileged girl named Briony (Garai/Ronan), witnesses a budding romance between her older sister Cecilia (Knightley) and the boy who's family has loyally worked for the estate, Robbie(McAvoy). There is a first encounter by a fountain that is harmless enough, but the young sister misunderstands what she witnesses. There is further confusion when the girl intercepts a note from Robbie. The note is very explicit sexually and was intended for her older sister Cecilia. The young sister is disgusted and believes that Robbie is a sexual fiend. She then witnesses her sister Cecilia and Robbie making love in the library of their home and is once again shocked. When a cousin of her's is raped, the young Briony falsely accuses Robbie of the deed and he is sent away to Prison, wrongly convicted.

The film then jumps into the future and deals with the repercussions of this event and shows all the affected characters. The story is very well adapted from novel to screenplay and the cast is excellent. The direction and cinematography are magnificent and the academy award winning musical score is very fitting. The WWII sequences have some very epic shots and the hospital scenes are very raw. Overall the film is very well made and visually satisfying.

Normally not a film I would go out of my way to watch, I accepted this film as a challenge to break down the story. This is a film I can take a step back from and truly appreciate it for the work that it is, without letting preconceived opinions ruin it. "Atonement" is a tragic romance that takes viewers through the mid thirties England to WWII France and eventually beyond. It is well crafted and ultimately a very successful picture.