Wholly Depressing and Awful

Rating: 2/10 (5 May 2011)

I won't rehash the major plot points because enough reviewers have done so. The problem with this film: the motivation for the characters' behaviors is undeveloped (non-existent, really). What could Robbie and Cecilia possibly have in common other than sexual/physical attraction? That certainly isn't enough to warrant 4-5 years of pining for one another.
Why does Briony falsely accuse Robbie of her cousin's rape? Has she always been living in Cecilia's shadow and sees an opportunity to gain attention for herself? Is she jealous because, at this point in her life, she lacks the physical beauty of her older sister? As the son of a servant, Robbie would have known from birth that the daughters of the house were off limits. And why, in the name of God, does the poor rape victim marry her attacker years later?! Nauseating!
If Briony wanted to atone why didn't she seek out the authorities and recant her horrible lie? Writing a novel about Robbie & Cecilia with a happy ending instead of the tragic truth doesn't even begin to make things right. And she does so later in life when she knows she's dying.
I felt emotionally depleted and angry with myself for watching the whole film, hoping it would redeem itself. Skip this movie.