Atoned.

Rating: 9/10 (11 September 2015)

Atonement (2007): Dir: Joe Wright / Cast: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave, Harriet Walter: Overwhelming period piece set in 1935 about guilt and the desire for salvation. An adventurous girl accuses a housekeeper's son of being a sex maniac after her cousin is raped. To avoid jail he goes to war where he plans to journey back. Director Joe Wright deserves credit for capturing the time period although the screenplay is slightly faltered with the information plot twist that plays as a downer. It does effectively play off the period for which the story takes place and stars actors that conjoin the ages effectively. James McAvoy plays the accused, with a torn reputation but a desire for reparation and survival in the hands of the war. Keira Knightley plays the woman who still loves him and defends his honor when the accusations surface. This is one of Knightley's stronger roles as she knows the truth in her heart but cannot render it. Saoirse Ronan plays the young playwright and accuser. This is a terrific start to what will hopefully be great things to come for this bright young talent. Then Vanessa Redgrave makes a superb cameo that ties things together. She is the Ronan character in her senior years where she can only right things in her mind to counter the problems she caused. Fantastic film about guilt and that traumatic road to making amends. Score: 9 / 10