Atonement
Atonement

Atonement

2007Movie123 minEnglish

A young girl irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit.

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Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users83%
Director: Joe WrightGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

On a sweltering summer day in 1935, the lives of the wealthy Tallis family are irrevocably changed when young Briony Tallis misinterprets a series of events involving her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of the family's housekeeper. Her false accusation leads to a tragic misunderstanding that haunts them all for decades, especially during the backdrop of World War II. The film explores themes of love, betrayal, class, and the power of storytelling and memory.

Critical Reception

Atonement received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its stunning visuals, Joe Wright's assured direction, and the powerful performances from its lead actors. The film was praised for its emotional depth and its ambitious narrative structure, though some critics found the plot's later developments to be overly melodramatic. It was a significant success at the box office and garnered numerous award nominations and wins.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, with powerful performances.
  • A gripping and tragic romance set against the backdrop of war.
  • Praised for its ambitious storytelling and directorial craft.

Google audience: Audiences widely praised the film's beautiful cinematography, compelling story, and strong acting, often highlighting the emotional impact of the narrative. Some viewers found the plot twists to be highly effective, while others were moved by the tragic romance at its core.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Keira Knightley), and Best Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan). Won 1 Golden Globe for Best Original Score. Received numerous other nominations and wins from various critics' circles and awards bodies.

Fun Fact

The elaborate single-take Dunkirk beach scene, which took five days to film, was inspired by a real-life filming technique used during World War II for propaganda films.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Cecilia" (Keira Knightley) has fallen for "Robbie" (James McCoy) - a man well down the social ladder from her family and their stately home. It's love, though, and the young man is doing his best to fit into their privileged world by study...