Latest reviews about Atonement

lolagirl80 says "One of the best original stories ever." about Atonement

lolagirl80 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:25:31 GMT

So, I love the fact that Atonement was based on a book written by a man. I can't believe that he writes the thoughts and feelings of a woman so well. I haven't felt this way about a man writing a female character since 'She's Come Undone', which I also loved. this movie is as true to the book as you can get in Hollywood. I loved it!...

ccampbell says "Beautiful but lacking in story" about Atonement

ccampbell — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:13:44 GMT

Atonement is the story of a rich family and what happens (and follows) one night with a house full of guests when an imaginative young girl sees a series of events and jumps to conclusions, unaware of the havoc that will result from her error in judgement.

I had high hopes for this movie. Major elements are there. The cinematography and the sound is excellent. Something as simple as incorporating the tapping of an old typwriter's keys, the clickiing of shoe heels down the hall, the sound of a fan's blades into the tempo of the music makes it incredibly unique and interesting. The casting and even most of the acting was very good. The first half plants the story in so much rich soil, but it fails to grow from there. All it's potential falls flat when the story is left up to the premise of a passionate love story with only the foundation of a few minutes in a library that, without any background information, seems to be entirely about lust and cannot seem to have the roots to withstand...

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nicolev says "let down" about Atonement

nicolev — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:13:55 GMT

Atonement was a let down for me. The start of the movie was slow and you did not know where it was going. There was not even that much interaction between the main characters and the love story never really took off. I think too much of the movie was spent on war and their seperate lives to get the real idea of them as a couple. The ending was not what I was hoping for and sometimes I felt the movie lacked direction. I would not bother to watch this movie again and am not sure why it recieved so much attention and nomintations for awards. I also felt that the main characters brother was eyeing her during the movie which was a little gross and unneeded since the whole idea of rape was already going on in the movie....

pickypaws says "Haunting in its beauty and simplicity" about Atonement

pickypaws — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:16:06 GMT

I loved the movie Atonement. The premise is interesting and unique. The characters were mesmerizing. The cinemotography was breathtaking and the scene at the beach was amazing for the execution of the long unbroken shot. The last 10 minutes of the film were haunting and the way the film ended was something I couldn't forget. This is not simply a war movie or period piece. Its really all about how 1 lie in a brief moment can change the course of many people's lives. This movie should have won an academy award. The whole cast deserves accolades for creating such a fine ensemble, seamless effort....

KBarbe00 says "'Atonement' was so captivating; I felt what the characters felt." about Atonement

KBarbe00 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:08:28 GMT

'Atonement' is by far one of the most fantastic movies of my generation. The actors are so dedicated to their roles, that they pull you in and make you feel what they feel. Every facial expression and change in tone of voice draws you in more and more and by then end of the movie, all there is left to do is sit and soak in the brilliance of the film. I could watch this over and over. It's not your everyday happily-ever-after, but a realistic portrayal of a love story that feels more enchanting than a fairy tale and more heart-wrenching than a real-life breakup. I'm a sucker for stunning endings, and this movie delivers just that. I was able to watch it with an action-loving college-age male, and it stunned him and is now a favorite of his. Definitely a movie worthy of an all-time top 10 list....

jaylynsmom52806 says "Atonement is the best movies ever!" about Atonement

jaylynsmom52806 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:11:11 GMT

I havent read the book yet but "Atonement" is one of the best movies i have seen in a long time. I love any movies really thats set in the same time, but Atonment really caught my heart. Its a perfect love sory although with a different kind of plot.

Its about a young girl who finds herself in love with an older boy who is in turn in love with her older sister. She is the reason Robby's (the older boy) whole life gets turned around into something horrible. Robby goes to war when the young girl tries to meet up with him and her sister to try and atone what she had done to them. Its a story of love, romance, war, and all around guilt.

To date one of the best love movies ive seen and ive already ordered the book to go along with it.

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kmartina says "Beautiful movie - both story and cinematography " about Atonement

kmartina — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:58:21 GMT

After reading Ian McEwan's novel, Atonement, I had huge hopes that Joe Wright, the director would do it justice.

I was completely satisfied. The characters were portrayed wonderfully by Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, and especially Saoirse Ronan, who played young Briony, and the filming was beautiful. One of my favorite films/books of all time....

kmartina says "Breathtaking -both the moving story and beautiful cinematography" about Atonement

kmartina — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:48:27 GMT

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PatMills says "How can someone atone to those who are now gone?" about Atonement

PatMills — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT

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 1935 through 1940. A thirteen-year-old girl named Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronin) prides herself on her writing, as well as on her judgment of character. One summer day, on the estate of her wealthy parents, she sees an argument between her sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and her boyfriend, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Robbie is the son of one of the Tallis servants. He has worked for the family in the hopes of getting into the medical school...

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mrp188 says "This love story will move you. " about Atonement

mrp188 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:05:57 GMT

Atonement is beautiful, it is visually stunning. You could just watch it with the mute on to see the gorgeous scenes. It has love, betryal, war, death... everything. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy do an excellent job in bringing the book characters to life. ...

Roxann831 says "Good movie, boring book" about Atonement

Roxann831 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:28:56 GMT

This movie was good... a little hard to understand at points... but good. I tried to read the book but got frustrated with all of the extensive, boring detail so I had to just put it down and order the movie on OnDemand. I made a good decision I think... jusdging by the movie I don't know if I could have appreciated the book. The acting was good, the plot good, moral good, layout... confusing,...

huggamira says "Didn't expect to love this movie - haunting and beautiful" about Atonement

huggamira — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:46:30 GMT

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 how my mind reacted it to it days after. It haunted me and lingered in my head.

Only great movies do that.

To those that don't particularly like slow movies - I recommend to watch it with a remote and FF button. But if you appreciate theatre and acting as an art form; This movie is top notch in that category....

hopenr says "Who doesn't love a war time drama????" about Atonement

hopenr — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:24:52 GMT

I love war movies, I am only 31 but I was clearly born in the wrong era judging from most of my tastes. This includes, my romanticizing of WWII. It's wrong I know, I've done the research I know, I know. Geeze, but still the 40's hold a place with me, forget that I was born in the late 70's. I long for orange juice can curls, red lipstick, and boys with grease in their hair and trouble in their smile. I really like Keira K as an actress, I actually do find her believable no matter what period dress she's poured into. and James McAvoy... good gravy, is he the dreamiest thing ever or what.... holy smokes. So to see their tortured romance, nice and steamy moment, and the emotion surrounding, with a WWII backdrop... I was sold before the first words were spoken, I was not disappointed.

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sweetserenity says "Breathtakingly Beautiful" about Atonement

sweetserenity — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:09:27 GMT

Filled with passion, deceit, and betrayal, Atonement is a movie that leaves the viewer anticipating more. The actors and actresses are perfect for the part, and so is the gorgeous music played by an unseeming instrument - the typewriter.

However, what goes wrong in the movie is not expected to go wrong. Everything is perfect except for the most important part of a great movie, the plot. Atonement's plot comes off as dry and draggy at times, leaving the viewer at times to wonder when will this brilliant and beautiful masterpiece end?

Yet, the movie is worthwhile and left me in tears. If you are able to watch past the draggy parts, then it's a breatakingly beautfiul masterpiece.

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silvergram says "Intense and well written" about Atonement

silvergram — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:55:39 GMT

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....