Rating  - Reasonably well done
Because I really enjoyed the book I have put off seeing the movie for some time, concerned that the movie would only disappoint, as is so often the case with the book-to-movie transition. And now that I've seen the movie I don't think it disappointed, but as is also the often the case in the book-to-movie transition, there was so much great material from the book that just couldn't adapt to the silver screen.
Having said that, there were some great redeeming qualities to the movie. The acting was superb. The scenery of England was beautiful. The re-creations of the scenes of the English military's evacuation from Dunkirk were outstanding. The storyline of the movie was true to the book, accounting for the major scenes that develop the story. The screenplay and the director were certainly successful in developing the circumstances of juvenile misunderstanding that led to heartbreak, misplaced justice, elusive love and passion, and ultimately lost life and a lifetime of regret.
As with the book, this movie does not convey joyous occasions, but rather some hard-learned lessons about life for a young girl that will haunt her forever. Ones for which she will never be able to truly atone, but only pray for forgiveness.
Rating  - Beautiful But Tragic Love Story
This is a tragic story, about two beautiful but star crossed lovers. Robby is the maid's son, and Cecilia the daughter of the lord of the manor. Their restrained and unspoken love for each other is played out artistically through gestures, sighs and facial expressions. Once their love is fulfilled it is cut short by the impetuous accusations of Cecilia's teenage sister, Briony. A wonderful musical score featuring original, oscar-winning music as well as classics like Clair de Lune carry you through the sometimes sluggish middle part of the movie. At the end, a touching monologue by the now septagenarian authoress Briony played by Vanessa Redgrave finishes off the film with a touching revelation about the inspiration for her latest novel: Atonement.
Rating - An Instant Classic
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After seeing it a second time, I think that ATONEMENT should have won the Academy Award as Best Picture of 2007. It is a rich, sweeping production; a touching romantic drama that transports you back to a simpler, albeit more dangerous, time and place.
There is also a surprise, absolutely unforgettable ending.
Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel was adapted to the screen by Christopher Hampton and directed by Joe Wright.
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy play the star-crossed lovers whose lives are destroyed by a vicious lie told by her younger sister, played at different times in the picture by Oscar-nominated Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave.
With a great film, like ATONEMENT, you see many things in a second viewing that you missed the first time around. For example, the occasional sound of a typewriter on the soundtrack takes on an entirely new meaning, as does a brief scene of McAvoy walking through a field of poppies.
There is also a 5-minute stedicam sequence on the beach at Dunkirk that makes Orson Welles' brilliant opening sequence in TOUCH OF EVIL look like child's play.
© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Rating - Just as beautiful as the novel!
I loved this motion picture! The movie represented the novel quite well. The imagry is beautiful; it takes place on an English estate. I don't think the movie could have been better. That is why I gave it 5 stars.
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