An adaptation at its finest.

Rating: 8/10 (16 March 2008)

Beautifully told with a perfect cast 'Atonement' manages to sustain its emotional core. It stumbles slightly when it shifts from its engrossing and striking first act to its ponderous second act but its heart beats unabated.
Saoirse Ronan is mesmerising as Briony Tallis and is the driving force in the first act, much as James McAvoy in the second.
The score is cleverly construed with the 'clunk' of keys a lingering frustration at first, but as the picture progresses it is a smooth and perfectly constructed piece of music.
'Atonement' has is moments of conscious exuberance in particular the beach scene. One of the most well executed pieces of cinematography, which I consider to be one of the best takes I have ever seen. It does not progress or have much impact on the story, it is essentially a piece of art - but it is nonetheless gripping.
A strong piece of cinema 'Atonement' is lavish but controlled and prolongs thoughts and feelings that only a well-managed and intelligent piece of film making could achieve.