Not bad at all, for a sentimental story...

Rating: 8/10 (30 March 2008)

I can't say that Atonement swept me off my feet, but I do believe it managed to do something increasingly harder in a world with a less sentimental, or more cynical mentality: sell us a tragic love story without seeming too melodramatic or sappy.
I avoided going to see this film in the theater because I was convinced it will be a bit boring - I find sentimental melodrama for the sake of sentimentalism a bit passe, and I am not a big Keira Knightley fan. After seeing all the nominations and awards the movie got, I decided to give the DVD a try. Gotta say, this story of ill fated love (which is such common subject dontchathink?) could have resulted in a mediocre movie, had it nor been for the way the film was structured and directed, and the talent of Mr. McAvoy, Saorise Ronan and all others. Funny how talented filmmakers can turn even a common themed story into a great film.