Film Review: Film in 2007–“Atonement”, Revised Review + Later Thoughts

Oscar will probably sit up and take notice of this powerful, moving, beautifully captured adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel about the repercussions of a 13-year-old girl’s jealousy leading to the downfall of two people in love (played by James McAvoy and Keira Knightley).

Literate and layered, Atonement nails hefty themes as sin, grace, forgiveness, and redemption — from a loosely held perspective rather than a literal one — during a time of war and suffering. One may glimpse in the first scene the Roman Catholic icon of Jesus in Gethsemane, although is not a reference that takes it literally, but there is a hint of the theme of ‘passion and trial’ in the movie’s thematic palette. The film’s artistry is seamless between present day scenes and flashbacks and there are stand-out performances from James McAvoy and Romola Garai as the girl who relives the pivotal incident five years later with guilt. Apart from some sense of pretension, Atonement leaves you engrossed until the very end, and stays with you later. Director Joe Wright keeps the momentum going after his success with Pride and Prejudice in 2005.

 

Release Date: December 7, 2007 (limited; wider: Dec. 14; wider: Dec. 21; wider: Jan. 4)
Director: Joe Wright
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton
Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn
MPAA Rating: R (for disturbing war images, language and some sexuality)

Reviewed by Peter Veugelaers

 

Later Thoughts:

Second thoughts on the actual theological suppositions of the film–did I see it right or is it a bit of liberal posturing? The sexuality was a bit too much to watch as well.