Noteworthy production definitely underachieves

Rating: 6/10 (4 January 2008)

Certainly overrated as one of the highest reviewed films of the year, Atonement nonetheless provides viewers with the epic scope and cinematic grandeur that some of the best British period pieces have provided in the past. Cinematography, set design and direction seems to elevate this somewhat generic tale of ill-fated lovers into a stratosphere of high art-it is not.
Firstly, the film is being advertised inappropriately as an intense love story shared between two well known leads. Rather, Keira Knightley and James McAvoy's overworked chemistry take a back stage to a third party who, in fact revolves around the entire main story instead. Most romance between these two characters merely comes as an afterthought inside this troubled character's mind, leaving the movie with perhaps a bit more metaphysical appeal but taking away substantially from the emotional impact. The plot itself at times feels shamelessly light, often coming across like a classy soap opera instead of the powerful piece of fiction much hype has suggested.
Atonement is certainly worth the watch, if nothing more then for the scenery and a few exquisite shots (the beach war tracking shot in particular was stunning and one of the most impressive takes with massive amounts of extras seen recently)....Just try to enjoy the lightness of it all instead of ending up scratching your head wondering where all the bona-fide passion actually is.