Daring and Challenging for a Mainstream Film

Rating: 9/10 (1 February 2008)

I had put off seeing "Atonement" because it looked like so many epic romance films that came before it.
I was pleasantly surprised. This is a film that takes a lot of chances. First and foremost is the narrative structure. Some of the scenes are shown out of sequence. Some of the scenes are shown twice and from different points of view. And some scenes, we later find out, never really happened.
For the most part, we are not told any of this, so you really have to pay attention and think about what is going on. Unlike most films these day, you cannot passively watch this film.
In addition, the film is carried by young Saoirse Ronan who dominates the screen whenever she is on. The other actors are good, but Miss Ronan's performance is really special.
The directing also takes a lot of chances with lots of close ups and camera angles. The music is memorable and incorporates a typewriter as a musical instrument. It reminds me a lot of the film music of Phillip Glass.
If you have been avoiding "Atonement" because you thought you had seen it all before, think again. This is one of the most daring and experimental mainstream films to come out in a long time.