I suggest that you actually WATCH it first before you judge it.

Rating: 9/10 (30 March 2008)

"You can only imagine the truth."
It's got the worst tagline that I've ever read, but who cares. Just wink at the so-so romance of "The Notebook" and pan your eyes to this award-winning tear-jerker coming from director Joe Wright (director, Pride and Prejudice).
"Atonement" is definitely the best movie I've seen in weeks. This romantic tale is something that I've never heard of, and by far, it is the best love story that I've ever pondered on (it even overshadows the love story of "Amelie"). Just neglect the unremitting clamor of the film's critics (they criticize this movie heavily because Keira Knightley's in it and for the plot's "shallowness"). Every facet of this movie is truly extraordinary: the story, the performances, the direction, the art direction, the score and the cinematography. I could go on praising this Hollywood gem for years.
It tells us about the tragic love affair between Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and their gardener, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). Their liaisons were later torn apart by a testimony coming from Cecilia's young jealous sister, Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan), falsely accusing Robbie as a "sex maniac." Robbie was arrested and was sent to the army, leaving Cecilia behind, crying over their love's ill fate. Their three-way tale kept on rolling over the years, until Briony on her late teens (Romola Garai) realized what mishap she has caused.
It's about a lie which severed multiple relationship ties. It speaks of how the mishandling of words can lead to chaos, and how tough it is to accept your wrongdoings and take those words back. I loved how the three Brionies (Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave) delivered those crucial few words of wisdom. I love Ian McEwan (author of the novel this film was based on) for shining the light on that maxim.
Saoirse Ronan undoubtedly has delivered the best performance among the acting ensemble, which rightfully earned her an Academy Award nomination. Meanwhile, Keira Knightley keeps on irritating me with her perfectly shaped jawline and that accent of hers, but thank God, her performance did not ruin the entire film (unlike what she did on all the three "Pirates of the Caribbean" installments). James McAvoy was great in his role. I cannot imagine where would this movie go without him. It's a pity that he wasn't recognized that much.
Joe Wright's camera-work is reminiscent of Olivier Dahan's direction in La Vie En Rose, and I admire him for that. We owe the movie's big hit in the box office to him and his directing prowess. His long shot on the Dunkirk beach is something that every movie buff should see, also for its wonderful cinematography and the set design.
The original score of Dario Marianelli was too much like Philip Glass' score on "The Hours." But if we should compare the two, Marianelli's would come out as the better one, hands down. It was Marianelli's score which kept me awake throughout the course of the film (romance/war movies easily puts me to sleep) and it also glued my eyes to the screen. The tone's generally hyper, it grows even more tense whenever the plot arrives at one of its climaxes, and it practically enlivens any scene which lacks some vivacity.
With Joe Wright's direction, Saoirse Ronan's powerful execution of her role and Dario Marianelli's compelling score combined, ATONEMENT is a film that you seriously wouldn't want to miss.