Atonement Review

Bottom-Line: Atonement is flawed, but what movie isn't to some degree; this one is well worth the price of admission.

It is the summer of 1935 in England and the hot air is buzzing with bees, and talk of Hitler and war set against the backdrop of a stately British manor house.  Thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis portrayed to perfection by Saoirse Ronan, with a gift for words, has written a play to celebrate the return of her brother Leon (Patrick Kennedy); from where I never ascertain. 

Briony's 23-year old sister Cecilia Tallis portrayed by lithe Keira Knightly has also just returned home from Cambridge University and is now confronted once again by her jumbled feelings for the son of one of the family's housekeepers, one Robbie Turner portrayed by James McAvoy.  The young man is a favorite of Cecilia's father, and, like Cecilia, studied literature at Cambridge and was there at the same time as Cecilia, though she summarily ignored him.

Throughout this day Briony witnesses a series of events, including an incident at the manor fountain, a further incident in the manor library, that lead her to accuse young Master Turner of a crime most heinous, a crime as it turns out was committed by another man.  It doesn't help that Briony has a serious crush on Robbie and feels betrayed by his misplaced affections for her older sister.  And then there is "the note" from Robby to Cecilia...  

My Viewpoint

Overall I would highly recommend Atonement if only because it a refreshing refrain from the usual Hollywood offerings.  At its base Atonement is a quintessential human story with a dribbling of almost every human emotion sewn into the story.  The movie is at time sensual, sexy, and beautiful and at times ugly and brutal, but undergirding it all is the tragic love story that almost was, but for the mistruths of a thirteen-year-old whispered into being by jealousy. 

All the players did a masterful job on the film, but the lion's share of the accolades should be thrown at Ms. Saoirse Ronan feet; Atonement is her film (with honorable mention going to Romola Gargi, who portrayed Briony at age 18, and had to mimic her persona) if it is anyone's at all.  Ms. Ronan did a masterful job at conveying her emotions through facial expression and body language.  She played her part with the skill of a seasoned professional and I hope to see her in more films. 

Having never read the novel I cannot attest to the movies faithfulness to its storied pages.  But I can state that Atonement, the movie is complex, delicate and devastating in scope and manner.  The movie is informed by beautiful cinematography, an engaging score, stunning Oscar-worthy performances, and more than able direction.  Atonement is flawed, but what movie isn't to some degree; this one is well worth the price of admission.