Overrated and patronising

Rating: 2/10 (5 February 2008)

Beautifully shot, well scored, with a well acted lead role for James McCavoy, Atonement is still one of the worst films of the year.
The major problem lies in the ridiculous plot.
Witness the great confusion the leading man has posting a sexually explicit note to the girl he loves. He doesn't want to give it to her, so what does he do? Screw it up and throw it in the bin, like he does with his other drafts? No. He sticks it in an envelope.
The "amazing and touching" twist ending is obnoxious and insulting. Its on a par with Bobby Ewing waking up and finding that Season 5 of Dallas was a dream, and we've wasted our time watching it. Atonement??? More like taking the proverbial.
Added to that, Joe Wright the director travels so far up his own rear with a 10 min tracking shot that portrays Dunkirk as a giant freaks Carnival that there's no coming back.
As I have said, the 2 stars given are for some nice acting and great photography, but the story is insulting for all those who like intelligent cinema.
By the way, for all you guys buying the misses a "Valentines Present" of an Atonement DVD, this ain't no date movie. If the missus puts out after watching this, you must be George Clooney.