Atonement Reviews

I read the book and watched the film recently, and I really liked them both. The book is beautifully written, with flawless narrative detail, though at first it isn't very easy to sink your teeth into. The film on the other hand is beautiful to watch, wonderful cinematography and excellent period detail. The music was quite nostalgic, and I suppose positively hypnotic. The screenplay was wonderful to start with, but the last part's narrative did lose its way a little, and despite the fact that I thought Briony's portrayal was fine on the most part, when she first finds that Lola is being hurt by who she suspects is Robbie, I didn't find her as comforting as she was in the book. The library scene I thought was more believable in the book, it just felt thrown in in the film. I will say, the performances were wonderful, with Kiera Knightly at her loveliest and James McAvoy very handsome and heroic as the two lovers who embark on a complex love relationship. Also worth of note are the performances of two great actresses, Vanessa Redgrave and Harriet Walter, who didn't disappoint here. Atonement is beautifully done, well performed, and fairly faithful as an adaptation. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This is a really great movie!
First of all, the story is very good. Robbie and Cecilia love each other but they didn't know about it. Cecilia even didn't know she was in love with Robbie. This kind of relationship gives me lots of space to imagine. When Cecilia read the "dirty letter" and they went into the library, their relationship became clearer. They almost became couple and they could have happy life with each other, but there was another problem, which turned me down. Briony separated them. That's really sad. Robbie almost could came back from the war and met Cecilia again, but illnesses took his life. I did cry when the soldiers started to sing and Robbie and Cecilia died. I also think Saoirse acted Briony very well.
Well, it's a sad story. If you watched it, you may hate Benedict Cumberbatch because his character, Paul was a bad guy in the film, especially if you are a fan of James McAvoy. Haha. But frankly, both of them acted very well indeed!

amazing..it's emotional, beautiful, sad i mean it's the perfect romance movie i even cried at the end when robbie died and cecilia and when briony talks about the book and shows them how they shoud be together i cried so much it's so incredible and the performances keira and james where amazing and saoirse and romola

It can tells you how Joe Wright is talented. He directs with flair and sensitivity. A nice highlight for the sequence that takes us along the beaches and streets, a scene very exciting and sad at the same time, shows us a view of the war only a camera, a job very well done and accurate. It is an excellent film, great direction, beautiful photography, acting, soundtrack, everything is great in this movie. I recommend it!

Joe Wright's Atonement caught me completely off guard. Even though I had high expectations for this, I wasn't necessarily expecting to be surprised by anything, because I felt like the trailer was very telling of what was gonna happen in this film. It SEEMED like we would get a SHORT first part in which the events that led to the arrest of Robbie (James McAvoy) would unfold quickly, and that the movie would then focus largely on the war scenes - I really thought this was just gonna be one of those standard, Oscar-bait war love stories. I don't mean to suggest that the movie isn't Oscar bait, because it certainly is and everyone knows it, but it's far different than what I thought. Instead of focusing on those conventions, Atonement stays devoted to its title by focusing strictly on Briony's desire to redeem herself for what she did. Although Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave are getting supporting billing for their work, Briony becomes the center of the tale told in this cinematic masterpiece.

As I said, I expected the first act of Atonement to be shorter. The trailer simply made me think that Robbie's arrest was something that they took care of quickly in order to move the plot along. Thank God that wasn't the case, because if it had been I might have felt a lot differently about Atonement. This first act is... for some reason, "delicious" is the only word that comes to mind. Deliciously engrossing, with perfect acting, amazing scenery, a relentlessly great score (who would've known that the often boring and perhaps even annoying sound of a typewriter could be so effective cinematically?). This is a first act that, handled even SLIGHTLY differently, could've gone TERRIBLY wrong because there's actually a lot of room here for things to feel contrived: 1) Briony's misinterpretation of what happens in front of the fountain, 2) Robbie leaving his room with the wrong letter, 3) Briony catching Robbie and Cecilia (Keira Knightley) in the study, 4) Briony discovering Lola (Juno Temple) being raped, enabling her to falsely accuse Robbie of that crime. It all seems too convenient and movie-contrived, doesn't it? It is all handled SO well, though, that it is more than believable, and you'll understand why when you see it.

The only argument I could see someone making against Atonement is that the second act isn't as amazingly great as the first one, but that's definitely NOT to say that it isn't masterful filmmaking, because it still is. I mentioned this before, but I'll note again the fact that the film doesn't focus that much on the war aspects, or at least not as much as the trailer leads you to believe. I find no reason for people to object to this, though - seriously, how many movies have depicted events of World War II? Did you really need this one to show you more of what you've already seen handled masterfully in other films? Atonement isn't about World War II; it's about Briony's efforts to atone (and the title should be enough to help people understand that). Even with THAT said, though, the images of the war that Atonement DOES give us are nothing short of amazing. There is a long tracking shot that a lot of people are already talking about, and that I can imagine will be talked about even more as more people see the movie. I'll say nothing about it, because it's plain and simply something you have to see to witness its greatness, but I'll just state that it is easily the best collaboration of acting, camerawork and directing we've seen in a single shot all year. In addition to that, despite its efforts to not focus largely on the war, Atonement is damn relentless in portraying the bloody, gruesome face of battle. There is an astoundingly heartbreaking scene in which Robbie is standing and the camera begins zooming out to reveal a massive amount of dead children. Also, when Briony is working as a nurse and wounded soldiers arrive, we are exposed to some severely gut-wrenching images that'll make many want to look away.

After the two acts comes the epilogue, which I will obviously say very little about. In a lot of cases, a final payoff or climax can help a movie that would've just been very good turn into a great film. Atonement wasn't in need of something amazing at the end to keep its status as a perfect piece of cinema, but it gives it to us, anyway. The epilogue reveals even more about Briony's demons and what she dealt with throughout her life as a result of her actions. If the Academy was willing to give William Hurt a Best Supporting Actor nomination for appearing in the final few minutes of A History of Violence, I don't see why Vanessa Redgrave shouldn't be recognized for what she does here. The avalanche of emotions that comes as a result of everything that is said in the epilogue of Atonement is almost too much to take, sure to make most people in the audience cry, as it did in the theater I sat in.

Thank God that Briony is handled so perfectly by the three actresses who play her. Yes, it's a love story, and yes, it's a war story, and both of those aspects of the film ARE handled perfectly, but as I said, they take secondary importance, as it truly is all about Briony, and that's exactly what makes Atonement different from AND superior to even many of the great love/war films we've seen to date. I feel like I should've mentioned this before, but I'd like to say now that, not only do James McAvoy and Keira Knightley give relentlessly perfect performances, but they also make for an extremely appealing pair of ill-fated lovers, and I'm not simply referring to their looks - I'm talking about the flair between them, in the early scenes when their physical and emotional attraction blossoms so genuinely, and then when they meet again 5 years later, and both display their angst and want for each other despite the time that's passed, and it's all done so candidly that, for a moment, it made me become intensely irritated at the realization of the absolute garbage that most movies bring us in depicting love. Cecilia and Robbie radiate incessant and palpable chemistry.

The thing I'm most intrigued by, in terms of people debating this movie, will be what is said about how people feel about Briony. Try to picture yourself at 13, and REALLY think about whether or not this isn't something you COULD have done, horrible a thing as it was. So many things are warped at that age in one's mind, and you don't have many complications in your life (especially if you're upper-class like the Tallis family), and when you have a crush on someone at that age, it can consume your thoughts. Just think back to middle school/high school. There is a scene in Atonement in which a reference is made to the fact that, since only five years passed between the two acts, it might be unreasonable for Briony to feel like she was "too young" and for her to now ask for forgiveness. The question is posed bluntly (even though I'm paraphrasing here): "Back then you didn't know what was right, but now you do?! How old do you have to be to differentiate between right and wrong?!" There's far more to this scene than initially meets the eye, so I won't reveal more about it, but I thought it was something worthy of pointing out. Can she really be blamed? I'd say definitely yes, but is it something that vile that you could never forgive, especially since at her age she couldn't have known that what she did would have the bitter effect it had on the future of three people, including hers?

I never exaggerate when it comes to movies, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that Atonement is monumentally amazing.

Atonement is definitely one of the most heartbreaking films that I've ever seen. It starts with pure beauty but when an event occurs within the film that changes the course for every single character. Atonement is probably the best British masterpiece in years. 2007 was a great year for British films. Atonement is a masterpiece but Hot Fuzz is still the best British film of 2007. Atonement is adapted from a novel of the same name. The way Atonement was filmed was absolutely fantastic. I loved the way the war scenes on the beach were filmed because the sceneries were so dark but the cinematography was absolutely fantastic.


James McAvoy's performance as Robbie Turner was the Best Leading Actor Oscar snub. He was absolutely fantastic because before he went to prison, he was a nice person who had a big crush on Cecila but when he becomes a prisoner and is forced to fight in the war, his personality changes around a bit because he ends up being filled with pure rage especially towards Briony because she was the one who sent him there. It is really tragic because a mistake that a 13-year-old made has effected Robbie and Cecila's life as well as her own. The thing that lightened this up in this film was that I thought the letter scene was really funny with what Robbie would like to do to her. That scene is so crude that it made me laugh which does happen to me quite regularly in films with those moments. Keira Knightley's performance as Cecila is absolutely fantastic. Her performance was the snub for a Best Leading Actress Oscar nomination. Atonement is without a doubt one of her best performances but not her most famous film though. Cecila is a young woman who has a crush on Robbie. Cecila is the older sister from the Tallis family. The other sister is Briony. Saoirse Ronan's performance as 13-year-old Briony was absolutely fantastic. Her performance gave me a guarantee that she would be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance is very powerful that is filled with jealousy and pure drama. It was like she was fighting with herself to do what was right. Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave were awesome as well as 18-year-old and 77-year-old Briony Tallis.


Joe Wright creates another epic romantic drama but Pride And Prejudice is a different story compared to Atonement because Atonement is a lot more depressing. Atonement is a depressing story but it shows pure beauty at the same time about love but also the way Atonement was filmed.


Atonement is without a doubt one of the best films of 2007 and it totally deserves to be that way. Atonement is a film that is hard to watch on occasions but is a film that is very enjoyable and a masterpiece that increased the reputation of 2007's year in cinema which is another reason why 2007 is the best year in film of the 2000s.

This movie is everything from scandalist to romantic
It is amazing and gripping
It is not like all those other romance movies that all end with a happy sappy lovey dovey ending
no this is a real shock setting reality on what romance can really be like
and i love it
kiera knightly is a amazing actress
and James could woo any women lol
was serious a master piece.

I loved It

Já a tempos estava para ver este filme, mas o universo conpirava contra. Fiquei com tanta expectativa que quando aluguei tive medo. Medo de me descepcionar. Quase sempre tenho problemas com filmes que aguardo muito. Felizmente, isso não aconteceu desta vez com "Desejo e Reparação". O novo filme do diretor Joe Wright ("Orgulho e Preconceito") é surpreendente.

Um filme completo. Trilha sonora, fotografia, figurino, roteiro... Não há do que reclamar deste que é, de longe, o melhor filme de Wright. O longa narra a história de um casal que é separado devido a uma mentira: Briony, então aos 13 anos, usa sua imaginação de escritora principiante para acusar Robbie Turner, o filho do caseiro e amante da sua irmã mais velha Cecília, de um crime que ele não cometeu. A acusação na época destruiu o amor da irmã e alterou de forma dramática várias vidas.

Visualmente, o filme é lindo. A fotografia é uma carícia aos olhos, que nos encanta a cada cena. Na primeira parte da fita, tudo é bem colorido e bonito também. O figurino é outro aspecto importante de "Desejo e Reparação". As vestes usadas pelas mulheres são belíssimas. O vestido verde de Cecília é a peça mais bonita do filme.

A direção de arte é fundamental em "Atonement". A criação do ambiente de guerra e das cidades da época é incrível de tão verossímil. Trilha sonora também merece ser citada. A idéia de pôr nas músicas os sons das teclas de máquina de escrever é genial.

Mesmo com aspectos perfeitos, a maior parcela do mérito vai para Joe Wright que dirige como nunca este que é o melhor romance , no seu gênero, que vejo em muito tempo. Sua capacidade de saber controlar a trama e incrementar com a perfeita trilha sonora é mais que louvável, é estupenda. Com cara de Oscar sem exalar pretenções, "Desejo e Reparação" emociona demasiadamente quem vê.

Com um final arrebatador, "Atonement" é tido como um dos melhores filmes de 2008. Impossível não se emocionar e se envolver numa história tão tocante e intensa quanto essa. Depois do final, nem me levantei para tirar o DVD. Fiquei estático na sala tentando entender o que acabei de ver. Lembrei da pergunta que Briony faz no filme e arrisquei a eu mesmo responder: Qual a palavra mais terrível que você consegue imaginar? Amor.

Robbie Turner: [voiceover] Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.


James Mcavoy: Robbie Turner

Keira Knightley: Cecilia Tallis

Saoirse Ronan: Briony Tallis(aged 13)

Romola Garai: Briony(aged 18)

Vanessa Redgrave: Older Briony

Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.
Based on the English novel by Ian McEwan.

A typical tragic, turbulent poignant love story that is augmented by a very well thought out story and technical and cinematic expertise in directing, editing and cinematography. Joe Wright captures it's edge.

If the audience did not read the book they might feel it is about a doomed love and how the lovers' would attempt to find each other after being forcefully parted, however, the story evolves, into a tale about the guilt and remorse of the one who disrupted the lovers' love and happiness. Her own naivety, immaturity, fear, and disappointment with her own attempts and wishes for passion, lead her to doom the happiness of the lovers and eventually severely regret her own actions.

There are some breath-taking scenes of grand proportions like the soldiers on the beach, the bustling towns, the gorgeous countryside. Costumes were perfect, as was the whole feel of the film. The soundtrack and piano playing tingling to the senses.

The progressive time-line is not linear. Futures occurrences happen before the past, a flipping back and forth, sometimes with a difference of several years other times only several minutes apart. This gave the movie an interesting perspective and made it more artistically enjoyable yet clear since flipping back and showing what lead up to the crucial occurrence clarified the plot. Also was good to see from firstly the couples viewpoint as well as the little girl.

Being a little slow, epic, and overly sentimental it will arouse romantics and annoy pragmatics.
The ending is heartfelt, heart wrenching and sentimental as she does what she can (incorporating into her life) to atone for her past act of a rippling mistake and indiscretion.