Young Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), 13 years old, is a writer. And a good one. One day, her older sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley) is given a letter by a boy she loves. The letter is full of curse words, and Briony, having read this letter, mistakes what is being said.
Later that day, when her cousin is "supposedly" attacked, sexually, Briony lies about what she saw. She blames her sister's lover, and he is arrested with the letter as evidence that he is a "sex maniac."
Years later, with both sisters grown up, Briony realizes her mistake and spend most of her life trying to "atone" for her mistake.
Atonement does not get to the point right away. We are left to guess what the film is about untill the first ¼ of the film has passed.
The film is told from different viewpoints throughtout, mostly from that of Briony at different ages (13, 18, near death) and Cecilia's lover, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy).
While the film deals with a subject that can relate to anyone, is told exceptionally well through the eyes of a young girl and later on her older self. Saoirse Ronan, who plays young Briony, is wonderful in the role, a joy to watch. She paly the part innocently as first, and then incredibly grown-up when trouble hits the fan. A moving performance, worthy of the Oscar Nod she received.
The cinematography is exceptional, too, including a scene shot on the beach at Dunkirk which lasts almost five minutes, uncut. Many scens around the English castle and countryside are filmed beautifully.
Although the film is a bit long, and the beginning starts slowly, the movies wonderful in itself and ever-so deserving the Nominations is has recieved the Academy. It is not the best picture of the year that many people think it is; however, it is one of them.
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood
Is the movie worth your time to watch?
9/10 26-01-08
