Atonement Reviews

Atonement is a 2007 drama/romance directed by Joe Wright based on a novel written by Ian McEwan.  I was looking forward to this review, having heard mainly good things about it.  But it was the setting and time that really had me interested.  This movie takes place in 1935, during the second World War in England.  For me, that was enough enticement to see this movie! — — Plot — — Atonement opens up with the filming of a beautiful estate set in England.  The house is massive and you can tell the family is well to do.  The time is 1935 and… read full 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… read full review »

I did not expect to love this movie. In fact, I watched it last minute on a whim due to my sister and lack of other movies available at the time. — The performances are stellar and the screenplay and director are magnificent. — Overall, I would say that this movie deserved every Oscar nomination, rave, and win it recieved. — — It was slow at first, but the more you understand the story, the more you are moved by it, and the more you appreciate the cinematogrophy of it the whole film. — In fact, I did not love this movie until it reached the ending and witnessed… read full review »

Well what can I say?  This movie is a secluded dream.  A romance that doesn't have an origin but a quirky lust and a long engagement.  Its original to say at the least. — It starts off with this huge summer home in Britain, with Briony and Cecilia Tallis (Saoise Ronan, Keira Knightly), their mother, and three younger cousins living together.  Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) is somewhat the neighbor, who is a promising student trained to be a doctor.  However, does chores around the mansion. Hmmm I wonder why.  — Well basically… read full review »

I had been waiting for a few weeks to get to the movie theater to see Atonement and I could have waited until it came to DVD.  I guess that I went expecting too much.  — The actual story is quite interesting (and sad) but nothing about this film jumped out and said "extraordinary."  Honestly Keira Knightly bored me (and my mother & boyfriend) to tears.  Could she prance around any more? She got on my nerves at times.  Maybe she was supposed to??  Maybe it was the leading lady, maybe it was the leading man, maybe they just didn't have on-screen… read full review »

A prepubescent and precocious girl witnesses words and actions that are sexual in nature. She does not understand what she sees, and never bothers to ask for an explanation. As a consequence, she jumps to the wrong conclusion about someone she has known all her life. Further, that conclusion proves to be costly to all involved. The girl grows into a woman, understands that moment in its proper perspective, and spends her life trying to right that wrong. — The majority of the movie Atonementtakes place in England and France in the time period from… read full review »

My husband and I went to go see this on our one month anniversary thinking that this would be a romantic movie and a real "treat." — We go to movies at least once a week.  It's cheap entertianment for use because I get free movie passes from work.  — We actually went to go see this movie and couldn't use the movie passes and actually paid to go see this movie and were very, very disappointed.  — The movie moved very slow and could have been done in about half the time. — Yes, it did exhibit how someone can assume the worst if… read full review »

Ok, it was a fairly good movie. The French subtitles were helpful, but over all it lacked a gripping story line. At the end of a movie such as Titanic -which Atonement has been compared to- you feel like apart of you has died when you see a character in pain. Atonement had some iffy scenes, but they were needed to build the plot. I good movie to take the slightly old kids (over 13) to and point out what happens when you assume something and act on it without thinking it through. The plot I must say if very good, taking the viewer on twist and turns as the narrator herself finds things out.… read full review »

Atonement was beautifully directed, well acted, but ultimately dragged on a bit. My wife and Aunt loved it, but guys who are not completely romantic or sentimental may want to duck into the other theater and see Die Hard 5....… read full review »

This movie is not what I expected. However, if you hang in there it is worth the wait. Imensley disturbing in that a sibling would lie to the extremes she does and sadly hurts all those close to her. The ending...well it wasn't expected and again worth the wait.… read full review »

Atonement, the film, is based on the lauded novel of the same name by British author Ian McEwan.  Lushly photographed and brilliantly directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) and combined with superb performances, the film captures the essence of McEwan's novel, but unfortunately doesn't quite plumb the depth of the novel.  Perhaps this is the fault of the novel so meticulously constructed and brilliantly written.  Rare is the film that can encompass an entire literary novel.  The most recent film to come close is Michael Cunninghams's The Hours. As the film opens,… read full review »

Atonement is a romantic drama. I have always been a fan of this genre of film, but this one was different. It stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley and directed by Joe Wright. It's an adaption of the novel by Ian McEwan. The whole style of the film is new and refreshing.  The way the story is told is unlike others in the same genre. It begins in 1935, right before the war, to 1940, during the war, and ends during the present time.  Some parts of the story is shown more then once, from different character's perspective. Each time the event is… read full review »