Atonement
In 1935, 13-year-old Briony misconstrues a flirtation between her older sister Cecilia (Knightley) and the housekeeper's son Robbie (MacAvoy). When her cousin gets raped, Briony lays the blame on poor Robbie. He gets sent off to prison just as World War II erupts, and the consequences of Briony's actions haunt the characters' lives throughout the conflict.
- Director:
- Joe Wright ('Pride & Prejudice')
- Writer:
- Christopher Hampton
- Cast:
- Keira KnightleyJames MacAvoyBrenda BlethynVanessa RedgraveRomola GaraiSaoirse Ronan
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Andrew Hedley
flicksA Complex Tale of Human Emotion With a Twist
This is a most intriguing film, using as it does two viewpoints ro create what could be called a tragedy of errors. The young woman with the imagination on full throttle who mistakes the meaning of her sister's interactions with the young gardener makes a decision to act in a way that impacts those around her in a way greater than she could ever imagine....
Superb story with cinematic grandeur
Full credit to Ian McEwen's genius as this riveting tale unravels between scenes of a Victorian-like class estate and World War II beaches and hospitals. The smart cinematography, particularly the exceptional lighting, help add a lot of atmosphere to the film. Although Wright proceeds to get too flashy and melodramatic at times, and goes especially...
Variety
pressRarely has a book sprung so vividly to life, but also worked so enthrallingly in pure movie terms, as with “Atonement,” Brit helmer Joe Wright’s smart, dazzlingly upholstered adaptation of Ian McEwan’s celebrated 2001 novel. Period yarn, largely set in 1930s and ‘40s England, about an adolescent outburst of spite that destroys two lives and crumples a third, preserves much of the tome’s metaphysical depth and all of its emotional power. And as in Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice,” Keira Knightley -- echoed by co-thesp James McAvoy --proves every bit as magnetic as the divas of those classic mellers pic consciously references...
Newshub
pressAtonement is exquisitely shot. I just loved its pace, the use of sound to suck you in to that doomed hot English summer day and its use again to transition from scene to scene...
Empire Magazine
pressAn adaptation at least as good as the novel - complex, delicate and devastating. Gorgeous cinematography, a lilting score and near-faultless performances, under Wright’s assured direction, make this the first contender for next year’s Best Picture Oscar...
Dominion Post
pressAtonement is a great big and unashamedly British epic. This is the film the poms scrimp and save their pennies for, only to blow the lot on one spectacularly competent piece of naked Oscar bait. The last time we saw this movie it was called The English Patient, and the time before that might have been Chariots of Fire. And fair enough too. Atonement really is pretty special, and actually deserves some of the tsunami of hype that is following it around the globe...
Christchurch Press
pressComplex, fragile and devastating in its impact, this spellbinding film will doubtless inspire some tears but rises above the dismissive term "tear- jerker".
This is a love story for mature adults, as witnessed and brutally messed up by an immature child...
BBC
pressFlourishes of 'hyper-reality' are grounded by sterling performances from Knightley (defined by a strong and elegantly poised backbone), Romola Garai as the 18-year-old Briony and, above all, James McAvoy. He exudes the essence of humanity in a truly soulful picture....
Flicks, Andrew Hedley
flicksVariety
pressRarely has a book sprung so vividly to life, but also worked so enthrallingly in pure movie terms, as with “Atonement,” Brit helmer Joe Wright’s smart, dazzlingly upholstered adaptation of Ian McEwan’s celebrated 2001 novel. Period yarn, largely set in 1930s and ‘40s England, about an adolescent outburst of spite that destroys two lives and crumples a third, preserves much of the tome’s metaphysical depth and all of its emotional power. And as in Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice,” Keira Knightley -- echoed by co-thesp James McAvoy --proves every bit as magnetic as the divas of those classic mellers pic consciously references...
Newshub
pressAtonement is exquisitely shot. I just loved its pace, the use of sound to suck you in to that doomed hot English summer day and its use again to transition from scene to scene...
Empire Magazine
pressAn adaptation at least as good as the novel - complex, delicate and devastating. Gorgeous cinematography, a lilting score and near-faultless performances, under Wright’s assured direction, make this the first contender for next year’s Best Picture Oscar...
Dominion Post
pressAtonement is a great big and unashamedly British epic. This is the film the poms scrimp and save their pennies for, only to blow the lot on one spectacularly competent piece of naked Oscar bait. The last time we saw this movie it was called The English Patient, and the time before that might have been Chariots of Fire. And fair enough too. Atonement really is pretty special, and actually deserves some of the tsunami of hype that is following it around the globe...
Christchurch Press
pressComplex, fragile and devastating in its impact, this spellbinding film will doubtless inspire some tears but rises above the dismissive term "tear- jerker".
This is a love story for mature adults, as witnessed and brutally messed up by an immature child...
BBC
pressFlourishes of 'hyper-reality' are grounded by sterling performances from Knightley (defined by a strong and elegantly poised backbone), Romola Garai as the 18-year-old Briony and, above all, James McAvoy. He exudes the essence of humanity in a truly soulful picture....
A Complex Tale of Human Emotion With a Twist
This is a most intriguing film, using as it does two viewpoints ro create what could be called a tragedy of errors. The young woman with the imagination on full throttle who mistakes the meaning of her sister's interactions with the young gardener makes a decision to act in a way that impacts those around her in a way greater than she could ever imagine....
Superb story with cinematic grandeur
Full credit to Ian McEwen's genius as this riveting tale unravels between scenes of a Victorian-like class estate and World War II beaches and hospitals. The smart cinematography, particularly the exceptional lighting, help add a lot of atmosphere to the film. Although Wright proceeds to get too flashy and melodramatic at times, and goes especially...
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