Atonement (2007)

A well made film, brilliant cinematography, fine acting and enthralling storyline, provided one pays attention and keeps up with the flashbacks. Definitely worth the attention at the Oscars and a film to be recommended for the serious movie buff.

Well made and acted. Enjoyable period piece.

Lovely film, well acted,romantic and sad.No I don't think atonement was achieved. Recommend reading the book.

Ok movie for a romantic drama but the ending is not great and a bit pointless. Definitely not a date movie unless your date is a pessimist.

Found this extremely hard to get into. Didn't finish watching it.

I found, on first viewing, it does appear a bit disjointed but it doesn't take long to figure out what's going on. It is hard to fathom how anyone can be as selfish and callous as the young Briony. Not only on the evening of the crime when she unjustly implicated the innocent man but every day after wards. Every single day for 4 years she had an opportunity to come forward, to confess. I also don't understand how it's perceived that she has atoned for her actions. She seemed more keen on chatting with patients and telling them her first name or moonlighting with her typewriter than doing what was required of a nurse. I don't see how in any way she has made any reparation for what she did. All in all it was a good film. I probably wouldn't watch it again though.

Strange and interesting-very sad ending!!

The copy which I received was very faulty..The picture was a "continuous start stop sequence"..very disappointing.

Fantastic direction combined with a great screenplay. Often the cinematography is flat out amazing. It's not one of my favourites, but there is a lot to appreciate in here.

I really enjoyed this film, a bit slow in parts but overall a great storyline, with great acting and some beautiful scenery,

This director is a poet. Every scene is beautiful and steeped in meaning. The extras and director's commentary are well worth watching too. The story is compelling. Great performances all round.

husband went to sleep, but I thought it was a nice movie.

I like this film and the way it ends is a nice twist on what you expect. Well not nice, but different.

Boring, boring, boring. See that look on Keira's face on the cover? That's how you'll feel the whole way through.

A great movie

A good movie but a lie is a lie is a lie and this movie depicts the sadness and reality of how a lie affects all round very well.

This movie is a captivating piece of cinema. It has an original story line, a haunting mood, and is sumptuously filmed. Every scene is a work of art. The long tracking shot on the beach is a masterpiece. It makes good use of time, showing the same scene twice to illustrate how the young Briony got the wrong impressions. Those who get bored unless a movie has knock-em-down non-stop action should avoid this one. My only criticism is that the viewer does not connect with the two lovers as much as is intended, and the ending, though a surprise, is a bit incredulous.

The realism of some of the scenes in this movie is very hard to take???sometimes you almost want to stop watching. But despite that, the film is extremely well done. Or perhaps, I should say, because of that. The story pulls no punches, except for one (explained at the very end by Vanessa Redgrave). It is well worth the watching, providing you have a strong stomach for the war scenes, a sense of understanding for the child's way of explaining what she sees, and a feeling for the idea that what happens in life may be in some way an atonement for what you have done: a kind of karma, except that it is taking place in the now for what you have done in the now.

Very enjoyable. A few tears shed.

didnt work all the way through movie,not very watchful anyway

Great start, drags halfway through and then picks up for an odd ending. I enjoyed it a lot, but it probably isn't for everybody.

A bit slow to start but worth the stay

Have to atone for hiring this. It's bad enough that my Lit teacher made us do the Go Between without dealing with similar pretentious rubbish all these years later.

A sensory delight! One can almost feel the sweltering heat depicted in the first day. Beautiful sets, props, and the most gorgeous costumes! Manages to make even war visually pleasing. The recollections, specially of the child, are expertly written.

Would have rated this a 4 but I got lost in the flashbacks. After a slow & confusing start all becomes clear & it finishes so well it makes you glad you perservered.

We really enjoyed this unusual movie. Good acting and good entertainment.

I LOVED this movie but I also LOVED the book! It is put together amazingly. The movie is visually amazing. I might say that it could be a little bit confusing with the timeline, for people who haven't read the book! James McEvoy was brilliant as was young Saiorse Ronan.

Very good movie enjoyed it excellent cast and story

don't waste your time with this one

Quite a dark movie, not one if you need a pick-me-up.

Beautifully acted by all, especially James McAvoy.

Very interesting story - well told. It is quite long but I didn't really notice as it keeps your attention. Although it could be seen as a period piece the story has a certain timelessness and relevence to any era. Recommended.

I loved this movie and keira was so good in it

Lots to like but also some to feel let down by. Wonderful performances by the cast, praise worthy cinematography, and an intriguing romantic tale that is turned dark by a lie. As the film’s title suggests, the wrong was redressed. Well it is, in a twisted kind of way, but not in a satisfying cinematic fashion. What works for a novel (here by Ian McEwan), doesn’t guarantee it will be successfully rendered to film. From its joyous 1935 dinner party beginnings in an aristocratic English estate to an ignoble retreat on the beaches of Dunkirk and grisly scenes of hospitalized wounded soldiers, the action becomes uneven and time shifts a touch confusing. This emotionally powerful tragedy of guilt and redemption ultimately lacks warmth. Three and a half stars.

I loved this movie, very haunting

Great movie, great love story. Keira Knightley did a fabulous acting job. She really seems to shine in these period movies.

Well I may be in the minority on this one but this film did not excite me. The first quarter I enjoyed and it began to pull me in. I liked young Briony and the story began to build. After that ....ho hum. Dragged out scenes, inconsistency of character as teh Briony and Celia grew up. Strange sort of musical genre scenes set in Dunkirk, wounded soldiers who look fit with just a bit of tomatoe bandage tied around them. How hum

Yes another good movie,a little boring here and there but overall pretty good!

Fantastic score and cinematography - a pleasure to watch. Great story too. Extremely underrated.

What an enthralling movie. Very realistic and keep in tune with the times. The scene about the Dunkirk evacuations is surreal. The acting is fantastic and all actors well suited to their roles. The twist at the end when Vanessa Redgrave is talking is very sad but ties the whole thing together - this is why the movie is called "Atonement". Wonderful.

I can't believe how slow this movie is, that is 2 hours of my life I wont get back !! It's not the worst movie I have ever seen but it comes close. I did try to read the book but couldnt get into that either !

The film is good as are the performances and the cinematography is superb but for me the film didnt quite capture the nuances of the beautiful book so I was a little disappointed. My suggestion - see the movie then read the book

The film is good as are the performances and the cinematography is superb but for me the film didnt quite capture the nuances of the beautiful book so I was a little disappointed. My suggestion - see the movie then read the book

lovely film

Over dramatised. There I leave it.....

Good film, predictable in parts but the 'moral' is an interesting one to address. Would have preferred more time dealing with the psychology of the author, dissecting what makes someone act with such roaring jealousy than with the story itself.

A beautifully tragic movie. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy are both brilliant as always, James especially, you can feel the emotion he feels when her hand touches his in the coffee shop and when he's standing in front of the film. Stunning. Would watch again and again.

This movie is in a class of it's own. I would give it 6 stars if I could. The director Joe Wright has perfectly married Ian McEwan's book and the world of cinema to produce a luscious, tragic tale worthy of any classic. Keira Knightly is barely in the movie and yet Cecilia's character is kept alive through James McAvoy as Robbie and his desire to back with her. As in the book Briony both young and old is a dreadful character and you can never feel sorry for her and what she has done. I'd highly recommend this wonderful movie, get it out now.

Great film and it does a good job of representing the book.

Great movie. Not the most uplifting but then war movies never are. Amazing what a jealous little girl can create with lies and deceit.

Brilliantly shot

I loved the scenery in the movie- it was beautiful to watch. I loved the acting, I think Keira and James are fantastic. What I didn't like is the story. I haven't read the book, and this movie makes me certain I never will.

This movie was so incredibly boring for the first 20-30 minutes, I watched and waited, and watched and waited. A complete disappointment.

To be honest, the first half hour or so of this film had me wondering if I could be bothered with it. Such annoyingly vacant characters left me unmoved. However, I'm glad I kept watching. Nothing can really prepare you for parts of this film, least of all the ending. It's one of those movies that has great, great moments that remain with you for a long time. I don't imagine I will ever forget this film and I'm not easily affected by sentiment, shock value or other ploys commonly used in film today. I don't doubt that a few scenes will be with me for the rest of my life.

Nice looking movie dealing with unrequited love and class issues before WWII. Interesting but I feel I've seen it all before.

This is a good movie in the formal sense but I must say it failed to grip us early and we were left disappointed at the end. Good cinematography and a powerful story I just don't think it was quite told well enough with alot of jumping back and forth.

Found it quite strange and drawn out.

Started off weird and never went past that. The only slightly "interesting part" was the ending. A waste of film.

Started off weird and crappy and never got any better. The only "interesting part" was at the end. A waste of film.

A visually beautiful film with excellent acting and gripping story. A great story of England leading up to and including WWII.

An excellent film. Thought provoking and well acted, it explores the consequences of one malicious action and how it impacts the lives of others for years to come. Worth seeing

And the point of this movie was.....? Hopeless! One of the worst I have ever watcehd!

This movie had me on an emotional rollercoaster... the young Briony is well-cast and the impact of her careless actions will have you thinking well after the movie has ended. Beautifully filmed - the war scenes are particularly moving. Watch the Bonus section - the "making of" section is a treat.

Really really good. Very enjoyable.

Leaves a lasting impression. How very sad in so many ways. On the downside, although Keira Knightley is beautiful, her face is not expressive and seems to just look pouty and beautiful...which is not always the right expression. Thought everything else was marvellous!

Beautifully shot, wonderful costumes and sets. But didn't like the characters so didn't really care what happened to them. Unsatisfying.

I got a little confused in this film. What was fact and what was fantasy and at what time did they swap over. I love the line "Come back. Come back to me." But was it true or made up by Briony for her final book?

I did enjoy this movie, great cast and shot beautifully. Great story to the end.

I didn't find this entertaing as much as other Keira Knightly flicks, like in Pride

Strange movie as in not typical - a bit slow at the start but was overall very enjoyable

An absolute shocker. Contrite, longwinded, Mills

It was good but got a little slow towards the end - need a bit more oomf... but it was still enjoyable.

Beautiful scenery, dreadgul Keira Knightley fabulous frist part rest was too slow and boring! War scene well done but too long!! Deserves a better rating except for some poor acting and lengthy drawn out scenes susie and Leo

Definately not a guy movie. He carries around a gun for over an hour and never shoots it once. I kept waiting for it to get better, get more action, get more something! I have seen my fair share of romantic comedies but this one stretched too far!

Given the movies success at theatres, I had high expectations and I was not disappointed. Was gripped by the story from the very beginning to the surprising ending. Don't miss it.

I really didn't expect to like this film. I thought it would be schmultzy and annyoing. It wasn't at all. This is a simple and touching story told in a complicated and interesting way. The filming is beautiful and James McAvoy is always amazing. We talked about the subtleties of this film for ages afterwards. Brilliant!

Very slow moving film that is rather self-indulgent in the way it is filmed, edited and directed. Keira is Keira (gorgeous but VERY average acting talent), but James McEvoy shines the most in the cast. I enjoyed it, but I can't say (despite being a 2 hour film) that I felt attached to the characters enough by the end of the film to feel the emotion they were aiming for. They just weren't well developed enough for my liking, and I lacked pity for them. So the film's effect was lost on me...and I usually get very involved in films....

Enjoyed it - loved how it kept going back to the past and kept you guessing. Good ending.

I was completely mesmerised for the first half of the movie- then I got bored. I was expecting something better after everything I had heard about it. Visually beautiful in the first half and the shots, camera work and soundscape were captivating for much of the movie.

Was this based on a real life experience? For the depth, tragedy and magnificence of the story, especially the final revelations, it comes from a place beyond imagination - an event of love over which one has had a long time to ponder.

I made a mistake with this movie. I sent it back before I watched it a second time. Questions are running through my mind. "What if ..." questions. Not only for the movie but for events that could have run differently in my own life - questions for the soul to ponder. A beautiful, touching and thought provoking movie.

I loved this movie, a long one but a good one. has a sad twist at the end of the movie.

Didn't like it at all. Yes, it looks nice and some of the acting is passable, but the movie is totally disjointed, jumping from scene to scene and although i understand this style of filmmaking was intentional, it is just plain confusing. Relationships aren't pointed out and you must guess at who people are and why they are important in that part of the movie. I was hoping it would all pull together at the end, but alas it did not. Perhaps for some, but definately not for all.

Atonement was one of those good films that contained a very depressing story. Different and interesting. Probably more a girls film than a bloke's flim. Husband and I both liked it but as stated, found it depressing.

Almost as turgid as The English Patient. Not quite as bad, though - saved by a more interesting storyline. Agree that locations and costuming sumptuous, but it seemed a bit highly strung to me.

One is not quite sure where this is heading early on. It could go several directions. But other than wandering a little bit through the early second half, it becomes more and more intriguing. A young girl ruins her sister's clandestine love affair with the estate's caretaker and spends a lifetime makeing "atonement". It is only at the very end that you fully realise just how she does it and to what extent she has succeeded. A clever and sometimes moving storyline. Pretty to watch as well. Good sets and great wartime backdrops married to great performances from the 3 leads.

A harrowing story, movingly told and faithful to the novel on which it's based. The settings are tremendous (the lengthy shot following Robbie and his mates around the Dunkerque evacuation is amazing) and the performances are extremely well-balanced and complementary. A great ensemble piece but highlights for me were the performances of all three actors who played Briony at various ages.

An average film made excellent by the ending.

The ending turned what was average into excellent. In summary I would say a love story with love we all wish for, and regrets no one wants to have.

Superb movie, and it's not even a genre I particularly enjoy. It takes a little while to get going, but stick with it because the payback is well worth it. The Dunkirk scene is breath-taking, taking all in one shot (not cuts) over 5 minutes. It has to be one of the great cinematic achievements. I can't be more enthusiastic in recommending this movie to anyone. This movie will stick with you for a long time. Compulsive viewing.

Fantastic movie!

Very very slow and boring, turned it off after 20 minutes as I couldnt get into it.

Towards the end of my review of this movie, Danny's experiences should read Robbie's experiences.

The Tullis family live in an imposing mansion not far from London in the period immediately before WW 2. They are getting ready for a party to celebrate the homecoming of their eldest son, Leon. Celia is standing beside the fountain chatting to Robbie, their cook's son, whom the family have helped educate, when Briony, Cecilia's 13 year-old sister, notices them from her bedroom window. Suddenly Cecilia throws off her clothes and plunges into the water to search for a piece of vase which Robbie has accidentally broken. To the innocent Briony it seems strange behaviour, and when Robbie gives her a lewd note to deliver to her sister, which she reads, she becomes suspicious of Robbie's intentions. The brother arrives bringing his friend, Paul, who seems a bit of a sly character.That evening Robbie joins the other house guests, the women in their long dresses and the men in their dinner jackets. Before dinner Briony happens to wander into the library and finds Danny and Cecilia making love. She is shocked and thinks Danny is seducing Cecilia. Later that evening, when walking in the garden, she witnesses something worse, and tells a lie which she has to live with for years to come. Not long after this episode, the story moves to northern France and becomes almost entirely concerned with Danny and his experiences at Dunkirk, with minimal screen time given to either Cecilia or Briony. The lives of the three main characters might have been given equal space in Ian McEwan's novel; they are certainly not given equal exposure in the movie, and it suffers accordingly. Saoirse Ronan, as the young Briony, easily takes the prize as best actor.

like english patient and piano - oh my i'll never get this two hours back. i had high expectations from its fame and reviews, and i do enjoy period pieces, but oh i was bored. far too melodramatic for me. though it may be my antipathy to keira knightly in general that speaks..

Maybe I was very tired when I watched this movie but when I look at other reviews I feel a bit out of alignment. I felt it was very slow and dragged on, I did like the acting and felt the actors did a wonderful job/

Beautiful and quite haunting. Watch if you're in the mood for something melancholy and darkly interesting.

Starts out strong and fades towards the middle. The first half of the movie, set in Briony's childhood is a powerful, dramatic, whirlwind of a story which builds you up for the climax.....which never seems to arrive. Indeed there is quite an anticlimax at the movies end, which should be poignant but leaves the viewer feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied.

Thought it was slow and dodged about a bit. Keira Knightly, beautiful but as usual talks too fast and you can't understand her. If you haven't seen it, you havne't missed much. Maybe those who've read the book enjoyed it more.

Absolutely loved it!

Fine acting and good camera work..do not miss this..the settings are believable..9/10

Absolutely loved it. Would definitely watch it again.

What a great movie with a suprising ending. I have a big crush on James Mcavoy now- see him in Last King of Scotland aswell- he is brilliant!

Great movie to watch.

Another fine British film. Films like this leave many Hollywood films for dead. A poignant love story with the typical sad ending, but a good viewing nonetheless

Excellent English period drama with fine acting by main actors. Recommend you see the movie before reading the book.

Enjoyed this one.

Despite its clear technical and artistic merits, there seems something wrong with this movie, making it not live up to expectations. Maybe it’s that the pivotal scenes of the story that happen early on are just too quick to really take in and so are unnecessarily mysterious for the remainder of the film. In contrast, the war sequences are too long and detailed. Perhaps by making it too “arty” with jumps back and forth in time, the plot got lost.

An ending you will not expect. Which is an indication of great writing and storytelling. A tragic love affair told through the eyes of an envious child come teenager who finally learns the consequences of her actions as she matures into a world of war and chaos. Keira Knightley shows great passion and rage as Cecilia while James McAvoy portrays his character (Robbie) with the fight and humble determination it warrants. Through this journey atonement is the only relief for a tormented soul (Briony) and war is the beginning of the end!

Was very weary because the book has so much in it, and the film only went for 2 hours. Fortunately this film is close to perfection and represents the book extremely well. The emotional pull is breathtaking and the ending is highly satisfying. A must see.

I really could not see what the fuss was about this movie. I didn't like it at all. Disliked the characters, story was dull. Photography was wonderful, but that's all that I enjoyed with this movie.

I really enjoyed this movie.

An outstanding movie - subtle direction of a complex story reflecting a bygone era when class distinctions did matter. Loved Keira Knightley - she has become a very fine actor. The script explores the tragic consequences that flow from a child's incomprehension of adult actions. Watch it for the subtleties rather than for any blunt action or romance.

beautiful but sad movie, worth watching

great movie. Keira Knightley is gorgeous.

Brilliant acting and cinematography. The ending gives you something to ponder.

I missed it @ the movies; but, found it to be everything I thought it to be..... except the dialogue was delivered; VERY quiety.... I had to keep turning the volume on the TV up! Great scenery, sexy cast - James... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM yum! Awesome period piece.

Some could say its boring, but the more you think about it, theres a reality to this movie that will make it stick. Well acted, a bit 'jumpy' at times, but well worth a viewing; no hesitation about giving it 4+ stars, but not 5.

very good .Not your typiclehappy ending period style romance.

Haven't read the book but this is a beautiful film, very well acted, gorgeous to look at, with a remarkable score. Very compelling story.

Lovely scenery/shots is probably the best comment i can make. Something about Keira Knightly made me cringe the whole movie. The movie just seemed to lack something for me, i didn't feel the emotion of the script - maybe the acting/actors?? I know this movie was given top dues but i didn't feel it. Could have been great otherwise.

Fabulous movie!!!

You've seen this movie before...Gladiator...Remains of the Day...Cold Mountain...the English Patient...Don't believe the hype this time. An excess of silent longing and overweening despair, struggling under the weight of florid cinematography and rampant cliché. Undoubtedly beautiful in parts, but over-played, hard to follow, and ultimately tedious.

I watched this movie having no idea of the storyline etc and found the plot quite bizarre and at times a bit disturbing. Having said this it still made for interesting viewing and was worth seeing through to the end in order to understand what really happened to all the characters.

I watched this movie having no idea of the storyline etc and found the ploy quite bizarre and at times a bit disturbing. Having said this it still made for interesting viewing and was worth seeing through to the end in order to understand what really happened to all the characters.

Its not until very near the end that this film gets remotely interesting and only has 3 stars because of the gorgeous Vanessa Redgrave. The acting was superb but not enough to carry off this rather boring story. Its more than a little frustrating to watch cos you just want to beat up on the kid but the twist at the end adds that little extra that it needs to lift it from the doldrums.

Reminiscent somewhat of The Go-Between in the beginning in style and portrayal of an era. The timeline becomes a bit confusing from the middle of the film but at the end one realises why. Some stunning photography especially that late evening shot along a river. Sumptuous

What a hauntingly beautiful movie - it left me thinking for days. James MacAvoy was the stand-out actor for me - just brilliant. Deeply moving and emotional.

Great movie.

I loved the movie but the ending let me down!

Boring, nice scenery but so very SLOW & BORING. I thought something must happen to at the ends to make it worth watching. HA what a waist of time.

This was a brilliant movie that I enjoyed immensely from start to finish. The acting was as good as it gets and the story was clever. It's heavy going for most of the duration and I feel that a little injection of humor would have made this a five star movie. As it stands it still gets 4/5

Generally excellent. Hated the 5 minute steadycam Dunkirk sequence (a la Russian Ark) which did create a sense of confusion & despair but ultimately seemed a bit of a wank. Possibly we have seen the iconic dress of the naughties - a very fetching green number worn by stick-figure Knightley!

Loved this movie. It took you through all of your emotions with a lots of twists Highly recommend you see this movie

Slow, drawn out and plain boring. I fail to see what all the hype is about....even my wife is of the opinion that we have just lost 2 hours of our life for nothing.

I loved this movie! Fantastic editing and cinematography. Brilliant acting and wonderful story.

Up until somewhere around chapter 12 I was seriously considering stopping this as I didn't feel like wasting anymore of my life. There was absolutely no chemistry between Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, and it was difficult to see why the young Briony (despite a bravura performance by Soairse Ronan) could possibly be moved by what happened between them. However, the war scenes started pulling me in, and then Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave as the 18 year old and 77 year old Briony carried me through to the end. Yes, there were some heartbreaking scenes and the sad twist at the end is a bitter taste of reality, but overall this movie was a grand disappointment.

brilliant adaptation of the ian mcewan novel. everything about this movie was perfect - the script, casting, scenery, costumes and music all supported each other in the most beautiful way. an absolute must-see movie!!

Excellent movie, very sad though and a little hard to follow in places.

Beautiful movie in many ways. Amazing sequence of Dunkirk.

Really dissapointing. No more Keira Knightley movies for me!

I am a sucker for a love story but couldn't evan make it all the way through. Beautifully shot but a bit slow for me and I couldn't get into it.

An interesting and very well filmed story. Not a particularly uplifting one however and the twist at the end (and I won't spoil it) left me feeling that the movie should have been called atonement avoided. Still a good effort, a little slow (ploding) in places but definely worth a watch.

A slow drawn out story with little action. Plausible and compelling. Many twists and turns. Well put together. Surprise end.

Worth Watching - War what is it good for absolutely nothing.

Great movie which really too in the era of that time

An absolute wonder of a movie. Atonement, from the novel by Ian McEwan, is one of the best I have seen in a very long time. A rich and multi-faceted story, which starts off as light and elegant as a feather and plunges to the depths of despair and regret. A number of excellent performances, none more noteworthy than that of Keira Knightley, finally getting a role worthy of her considerable talent and great beauty. The cinematography is breathtaking. Great care has been taken over framing every scene of this film. One scene in particular, that of the Dunkirk evacuations, stand out as surely one of the great scenes of film history. As a portrayal of the surreal nightmare of war it is stunning. In one part a character stands in front of a film being showing on screen behind him. This type of scene has been used in many films, but it has never struck me as effective as here. It felt as though the character had stepped from the screen and become part of the audience. Whether or not this was intentional, I cannot say. For me that effect aligned with an underlying theme, that of the story teller and his or her relationship to the audience and the characters in the story. Is it kindness to provide a happy ending for your characters and hope for your audience or must one stick to an honest retelling however grim the outcome?

Brilliant... +++++