A marvelous, sweeping love story

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2009)

"Atonement" is one of those movies that completely draws you in and never really lets you go, even after the credits start rolling. It is to the film's credit that it manages to be completely unforgettable, even after a year of having viewed it.
The film is divided into two parts: the first half is a mystery that is slowly unveiled, and told from two different viewpoints. The second half is more straightforward, but it has a number of flashbacks. This is a densely plotted film, and, especially during the first hour, it requires absolute attention from the viewer (don't worry. The film is so good that this will happen anyway). As such, I can't give much in way of the plot (just watch the trailer).
The acting is outstanding. Keira Knightly has never been one to "sell out" to Hollywood; she clearly only takes on projects that interest her and challenge her. Her performance as Cecilia Tallis is easily her best performance, and should have earned her a second Oscar nomination. She captures every emotion perfectly, and uses restraint to emphasize the effect of her emotions. Likewise, James McAvoy equals her, giving us a perfect romantic foil for Cecilia. McAvoy wisely avoids giving us a Harlequin romance lead; instead he creates a real person that has a powerful romantic connection with his co-star.
Saoirse Roman, despite being very young, holds her own against the up-and-coming A-listers. She's a natural, and perfectly captures the complexity of her character. Much of what she does and feels is presented without words, and only a truly talented actress like Roman can pull it off. Her Oscar nomination was well deserved. Her older counterpart, played by Romala Garai, is so good that it is hard to believe that these are two different actresses, and not one character that simply grew up. It's tough to pull off, but Roman and Garai are perfectly in synch.
"Atonement" could have gone wrong in so many ways, but director Joe Wright manages to keep it all straight. He keeps things moving, including a 5-minute long, unbroken take across a soldier-filled beach. Additionally, the soft light he chose for the film enhances the experience, producing an almost dream-like quality to the film, and even in the war scenes, it works.
The best part of "Atonement" is that it's kept on a personal level. While all the characters are caught up in an extraordinary event, the story that connects them is purely personal. There is no "national scandal," or flashing photographers wanting a scoop on this drama. There are only a few characters who knew about what happened, and novelist Ian McEwan and especially Wright wisely focus on them. Wright keeps the epic scale of the war intact, but he personalizes the drama.
"Atonement" is a beautiful and harrowing film. It is not to be missed, and was easily one of the best, if not THE best, films of 2007.