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Atonement | 
| Director: Joe Wright
Actors: Saoirse Ronan, Ailidh Mackay, Brenda Blethyn, Julia West, James Mcavoy
Studio: NBC Universal
Category: Movie
Buy New: $3.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  241 reviews
Sales Rank: 119
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: Video Download
Running Time: 124
Theatrical Release Date: December 7, 2007
Release Date: August 12, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 236 more reviews...
 A Journey Through A Cinematic Masterpiece... August 21, 2008
This is not a pop-corn flick. There are no special effects to rave about. Whether you read the book or not is immaterial, though it is best to have read the book and then see this wonderful movie adaptation. And if you are the type of person who enjoys a good story with superb acting, then this one is for you. One thing that can be said of the British is that their actors and actresses are well trained in their craft. They can act.
Rarely has such a film taken one in an emotional roller-coaster ride and with such grace and effortless beauty. Who cannot laugh at Robbie's saucy note!...or felt profound sadness in the unfolding Dunkirk evacuation scene, while at the same time being in sheer awe of the talent up on the screen. James McAvoy & Keira Knightley, Romola Garai and the others are both sublime in their parts.
Director Joe Wright ('Pride and Prejudice' ) and screenplay writer Christopher Hampton have accomplished another wonderful movie adaptation. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Score at the 80th Academy Awards, and was nominated for six others, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (Hampton), and Best Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan, playing Briony Tallis) of Ian McEwan's critically acclaimed labyrinthine novel of the same title. Atonement has generally been acclaimed as among the Top 10 Films of 2007 by numerous film critics association.
But looking back, I wasn't convinced that Briony fully understood just what she had done, even though she attempted to atone. She came out as arrogantly repentant....as if the surprise revelation at the end of the film when she was being interviewed, was another of her compelling reason for her craving, once more, to be in the limelight. To be honest, it would have been more appropriate if the film would have ended with Briony plainly stating, "What I have done was an outrageously horrible, stupid, and childish act. It destroyed people's lives and caused them heartache beyond what I could possibly understand. Now, I have to live with whatever is left in my brief, tortured existence. And that is a cross I alone will have to bear."
Here is a film with romance, humor, drama, a sweeping epic, poignant moments and tragedy set in a particularly period piece. The stunning Dunkirk sequence is already being hailed as an all time-classic scene, and rightly so. But for the most part, it was the impressive photography and lighting combined with the musical soundtrack, not to mention the story line that can take hold of an audience patient enough to pay attention. The reward is to witness, to understand and to feel an unfolding tragedy set in the evocative period of an already bygone era of the 1930's. (It was filmed throughout the summer of 2006 in Great Britain and France). And while it can be argued that in the end, despite her attempt, Briony failed to atone for her transgression, maybe the point in the story is that there is no real way to atone. It was too little and too late. What's done is done, and the realization that she had to accept responsibility in the playout of this magnificent tale of unrequited love... is the sole 'raison detre' of this beautifully poignant film.
5 out of 5
TRUE LOVE DENIED August 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
ATONEMENT
I always read the book before I watch the movie, but, for some reason, I could not get into the book. Maybe I didn't give the book enough of a chance. WOW, this movie was great!!!!!
Having jumped onto the band wagon a little late, I will not go into great detail regarding the plot of this film. The movie takes place in England before and during WWII. Upper-class Cecilia {Keira Knightley} and grounds-keeper Robbie {James McAvoy} -- who is always GREAT -- have been attracted to each other forever. Finally, they cannot deny their atttraction and love for one another. Cecilia's younger sister, Briony, is always lurking around and is constantly stumbling upon situations involving Cecilia and Robbie. To me, Briony, is nothing but a BAD SEED and trouble. The young actress who played her, Saoirse Ronan, was GREAT.
Briony witnesses a crime and accuses Robbie. The write up on the movie box said Briony is confused and mistakenly accuses Robbie -- me? I think she knew EXACTLY what she was doing. Briony was an evil little brat. Her blank stares gave me the creeps. Ronan is a great little actress.
The movie is wonderful, the book is probably excellent and I think I will give it another shot. The movie flew by quickly and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!!!
My only problem with this movie was I had a hard time understanding Keira Knightly. She seemed to speak too softly and quickly and I had to back up several times to catch what she had said.
Rent ATONEMENT, buy ATONEMENT, or read ATONEMENT. You should be prepared with popcorn, drink, and kleenex!
Thank you!
Pam
Epic Love Story August 18, 2008
This movie is an epic love story of forbidden love. It is a tale of two people from different social classes, one is a society girl and the other is the housekeepers son they fall deeply in love and then are torn apart by devestating accusations from the society girls younger sister and cousin. Then the young man is sent of to war and the society girl goes on to a job in health care. They see each other again and he promises to come back to her. The ending is sad yet fitting and the movie altogether will bring tears to your eyes. It is the perfect date movie.
 Boring, Boring, Boring!!! August 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I like Keira Knightly and James Macavoy, but they were not in very many scenes together at all. The movie was slow. There was not the romance depicted in the trailers shown. I was very disappointed to say the least. I am surprised that any five stars were given to this uninspiring movie. The only thing I can say is that the cinematography was nice.
Could not get into the book August 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After seeing the movie, I do fancy giving the book another go. But I definitely couldn't get my head around it the first time around.
Why did I buy Atonement? I was actually curious about this movie. People rave about it, crying when they came out of the cinema etc. People saying it was only made to win awards. All these five star reviews. Which normally means I won't like the film.
Although I was quite confused during the first half hour, as it flips between one person's viewpoint to another, but I soon got dragged into the movie. The cast do brilliantly in their roles, although I don't think I'm ever going to be a fan of James McAvoy. He's just not one of my favourite actors.
I won't go into the whole story, as so many other reviewers have already done so. But while I'll agree that yes, the film has been made to win awards, it is a really good film. I didn't, however, cry after watching it. I was more shocked when the credits were rolling. The only bit I didn't like in the movie was the much celebrated tracking shot through Dunkirk. Why is it so special? I got bored when it was on screen, there was nothing special there. In my opinion, it was an overly long shot, which didn't fit in with the rest of the movie.
Prepared to be shocked and surprised with this movie, as it takes you in a direction that I certainly didn't think it would. And I actually liked Keira Knightley for once. (I don't normally.) Although she's still far too skinny, but she'll never change. James McAvoy - I've seen him in a couple of films now - most recently Wanted - and I still don't like him. My personal opinion, other people start swooning when his name is mentioned, just not for me.
Watching Atonement has made me want to re-try the book again. And definitely watch the film again, to see if I can spot the little 'clues' that there's supposed to be throughout. But an excellent movie, and one I did not think I would like.
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