Atonement

3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (376 customer reviews)
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this stunning epic love story stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy and is hailed by critics as "a ravishing romance."
  • Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Ailidh Mackay
  • Directed by: Joe Wright
  • Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
  • Release year: 2007
  • Studio: NBC Universal
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Product Details
Synopsis: Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this stunning epic love story stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy and is hailed by critics as "a ravishing romance."
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Ailidh Mackay
Supporting actors: Brenda Blethyn, Julia West, James McAvoy, Harriet Walter, Keira Knightley, Juno Temple, Felix von Simson, Charlie von Simson, Alfie Allen, Patrick Kennedy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Wight, Leander Deeny, Peter O'Connor, Daniel Mays, Nonso Anozie, Michel Vuillermoz, Lionel Abelanski, Nick Bagnall, Charlie Banks
Directed by: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, War
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2007
Studio: NBC Universal
MPAA Rating: Rated R for disturbing war images, language and some sexuality
ASIN: B0017W8ODK (Rental) and B0014T5TAM (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: December 07, 2007
  • MPAA: Rated R for disturbing war images, language and some sexuality
  • Production Company: Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Relativity Media, Working Title Films
  • Filming Locations: Aldwych Underground Station, Aldwych, Holborn, London, England, UK | Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK | Bloomsbury, London, England, UK | Coates, Cambridgeshire, England, UK | Dover, Kent, England, UK

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
287 of 317 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
For those who have had the immense pleasure of reading Ian McEwan's ATONEMENT not once but several times, basking in not only the brilliant story/mystery but also in the inordinately beautiful language, rest assured that the film not only does the book justice in the transference to the screen, but in the hands of screenplay writer Christopher Hampton (we know that McEwan approved of the modifications as McEwan is one of the producers of the film) becomes even more clear in its realization of the complex plot and finds the visual beauty inherent in McEwan's prose. Joe Wright as director steers this story well, finding just the right amount of back and forth nonlinear development that formed the magic of McEwan's initial weaving.

The cast is uniformly superb. From the initial self-centered liar Briony Tallis (an impressive Saoirse Ronan) to the years' later sorrowfully guilty young nurse Briony (Romola Garai) to the 'epilogue' Briony of Vanessa Redgrave, the entire story is adroitly centered on this perpetrator of tragedy. But without the power of James McAvoy's falsely accused Robby Turner and Keira Knightley's tragic Cecilia Tallis the triad would not work. Even the smaller yet important roles assigned to Gina McGee, Brenda Blethyn, Jérémie Renier and countless others are played to perfection.

The cinematography by Seamus McGarvey captures not only the misty tranquility of 1935 pre-war England complete with creative use of luminous light sources as well as the raw brutality of the battlefields as England enters WW II. Dario Marianelli's music score (much of it played by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet!) incorporates the superb Sir Thomas Beecham recording of 'La Boheme' with de los Angeles and Björling as incidental music to the typing of Robby's fateful note and then proceeds to incorporate the typewriter as if it were an instrument in his orchestrations.

Rarely has this viewer been so moved by a film (and perhaps that may have been related to just having heard a performance of Britten's WAR REQUIEM at the Los Angeles Philharmonic the previous night!): it is the perfect marriage of novel, cinematic realization and commitment on the part of all concerned in the creation of this superlative film. Highly Recommended on every level. Grady Harp, January 08
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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Completely mesmerizing December 18, 2007
"Atonement" is a great example of an excellent book that was seamlessly adapted for the big screen.

Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, "Atonement" is the story of Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), a 13-year-old girl growing up in England in the year 1935. Briony is a very intense girl who is obsessed with storytelling. She witnesses a series of events between her older sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley), and Robbie (James McAvoy), the son of the Tallis family's housekeeper. Briony things she understands what she sees, but she really doesn't. When a terrible crime is committed, Briony points the finger at the wrong man, sending an innocent person to prison and leaving Cecilia absolutely devastated.

This is an amazing story about love, truth, and justice. I have read McEwan's novel, and I was blown away by how well this story transferred to the screen. Everything in the film looked just the way I'd envisioned it when I read the book, which is a great testament to the filmmakers. I was very impressed by many of the performances in the film, especially those of the actors portraying young Briony, Cecilia, and Robbie. Ronan is a superb young actress whose portrayal of Briony is absolutely brilliant. Knightley seems to get better and better with every film she makes, and "Atonement" is no exception. She brings Cecilia to life on screen and makes her evolve from a selfish girl with a high-and-mighty attitude to a passionate woman who will do anything to be with the man she loves. The on-screen chemistry between Knightley and McAvoy is unbelievably intense (that library scene...wow!). I think Cecilia and Robbie will become one of cinema's most treasured couples, right up there with Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.

I also need to mention the amazing cinematography in the film, as well as the music. There are many spectacular camera shots in the film, and dramatic uses of light to enhance certain scenes. The film's score integrates Briony's pounding typewriter keys into the music of the entire movie, which is seamless and incredible.

I only have two small gripes about this film. First of all, the ending of the movie slightly differed from the ending of the book, and I don't understand why it was changed. Secondly, I wasn't thrilled with Romola Garai's portrayal of Briony at age 18. She just wasn't as creepy and intense as Ronan, which was disappointing. However, it's possible that I'm being overly critical of Garai just because Ronan was so utterly fantastic in her role. It would be a lot for anyone to live up to.

Overall, "Atonement" absolutely dazzled me. I appreciate that the film is so true to the book in every way, and it was wonderful to see this amazing story come to life. This is a must-see that has "Academy Award winner" written all over it.
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81 of 92 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgiven January 5, 2008
You will appreciate the movie more if you have read the novel. It is not a straightforward love story and definitely not a war epic. It is also not an English society story from the 30s, though it starts as such. A young girl with writing ambitions has her share of frustrations with family and with a failed crush. She sees things and misunderstands them involving her elder sister and her crush. This leads to false accusations, a wrong arrest, a life badly damaged, a love unfulfilled. The script handles the misperceptions of the girl perfectly, we get to see things in different versions. It is like time moving in loops.
The middle part shows us the struggles of the two separated lovers towards getting back to each other in the middle of war. Dunkerk for him, London hospitals' nursing wards during the bombing of London for her. The younger sister repents and tries to make up, but is rejected.
The final and shortest part is set in the recent past and has the former young girl explain what happened. You will find that the story makes perfect sense and is well constructed.
The book was one of McEwan's better ones. The movie is on par with the novel: I have rarely seen a better adaptation of such a novel. The script deserves an Oscar, as does the cinematography. Some of the images are outstanding, e.g. the 3 soldiers walking dejectedly and lost through France or Flanders towards uncertainty and Dunkerk, and the we see a bomber fly over them, but we see it only as its reflection in the small canal. Look at the pictures!
The cast is excellent and I disagree with those who think that KK is miscast, though her performance in Pride and Prejudice was more impressive.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great love story!
I am a romantic and I love watching romantic movies! I would watch this over and over again! I would never get bored!
Published 17 hours ago by Datlh
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this movie
So sad, but so sexy, seductive prior to that. Good stuff, I haven't read the book yet though. I plan to now
Published 2 days ago by Hilary
5.0 out of 5 stars it's always best to tell the truth
this is an excellent learning film to young adults about dishonesty, miscommunication and growing up..the film is a terrific period piece and many for Knightley. Read more
Published 8 days ago by bluzcandy2
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply gorgeous and thought-provoking.
My students were reading the novel and I thought they might enjoy the movie. Did they ever. Kids from other classes heard about it and wanted to see it, too. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Susan Coonin Kogon
5.0 out of 5 stars I am so glad that I did not listen to all the negative comments about...
I was so back and forth about wanting to watch this movie,because of so many negative and actually misquoted movie scenes in this movie. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Shannon D. Wozniak
1.0 out of 5 stars Dull
This movie was slow, dull and boring. What an ending, it was all a fabrication. I inserted it in file 13.
Published 29 days ago by Darcie B
2.0 out of 5 stars Atonement review
Was quite disappointed in this movie. Very slow and hard to follow. I would not recommend this movie to anyone.
Published 1 month ago by Sue Urbanski
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie!
Sad, but a wonderful love story. Yet again shows how destructive war is to humans. I would recommend this movie.
Published 1 month ago by D. Zimmerman
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet movie (possible spoiler)
This was a sweet movie, though a sad twist at the end! The copy of this I bought, was used so it had a glitch in the second half that would allow me to watch about 15 seconds of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by LittleEyes
4.0 out of 5 stars Book was better but very good
Knightly is fine and the undercurrent of passion with Robbie is very intense. The little sister is very easy to dislike and the results if her immaturity are heartbreaking. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Ross
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Which Do You Like Better, The Book or The Movie?
I loved the book. Just loved it. McEwan's one of my favorite authors and this is my favorite of his books. I'd loathed what Hollywood had done earlier this year to another favorite book, "Evening." And I was less than thrilled with what "Atonement" director Joe Wright had... Read more
Dec 25, 2007 by Sharon Isch |  See all 2 posts
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