Heart-rending, ardent love broken by war

Rating: 9/10 (23 September 2016)

On the surface, this movie seems just like a normal tragic love story. But this story is actually well used in delivering a strong message. The painfulness of living with guilt, and unchanging love only causing hopeless yearning for each other is shown very well in this movie, through a heart-touching story, beautiful and desolate setting, and the great acting of the actors.
In this movie, the main character, Robbie is falsely charged and taken as a soldier to war, and Cecilia is left behind, longing for her lover, because of a single incident caused by her sister, Briony. Briony had the prejudice against Robbie that led to the problem. They do meet after a few years, but as difficult as it was to just meet again, it is not easy for them to start their relationship again. They promise to meet again, as Robbie leaves again for war, and they are separated for another several years, which becomes forever after all.
Even though Briony was the one who had falsely accused Robbie, she was just the spark that led to the tragedy. It wasn't wholly her fault that the two couldn't be together. It was the atrocious war, that destroyed love, families, and lives of people. All because of the greed of some people. The harsh conditions of the war, and the destruction of innocent lives is eloquently, and movingly shown. This gave me a strong impression, and made me rethink about the cruelty of war, and humans, ultimately.
The "atonement", after all, must not only be from Briony, who was late in her confession about her mistakes, but also for the victims of war. This powerful message, both about fallacy and war, that is delivered through this movie, makes it a must-watch.