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Atonement

Play trailer Poster for Atonement R 2007 2h 3m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 218 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner. When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony, all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.
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Atonement

Atonement

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Critics Consensus

Atonement features strong performances, brilliant cinematography, and a unique score. Featuring deft performances from James MacAvoy and Keira Knightley, it's a successful adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/23/2018
It is an elegant and sophisticated film, one that never condescends or shirks from the complexity of the novel and its grand themes - war, love, sex, memory, betrayal, redemption - but it's also strangely unfeeling. Go to Full Review Christopher Orr The New Republic 09/22/2008
Atonement is a film out of balance, nimble enough in its first half but oddly scattered and ungainly once it leaves the grounds of the Tallis estate. Go to Full Review Alonso Duralde MSNBC 05/01/2008
2/5
[U]ltimately, the movie amounts to rolling lawns, lovely costumes, and characters that simply fail to resonate. Go to Full Review Cameron Meier MeierMovies.com Sep 9
5/5
Best film of the 21st century. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 09/07/2024
5/5
…Atonement might look from its glamorous shell like the usual British fantasy about WWII romance, but has something tougher, more meta and more timeless inside… Go to Full Review Andrew Collins Radio Times 05/30/2024
5/5
Atonement transcends the expectations of its country-house setting, via the privations of war, to deliver a knockout twist that works better on the screen than it did on the page. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mariana T @M.Tezeta 1d What a story, what aesthetics, what characters... but I'm speechless when it comes to Briony, who made me brazenly question guilt and innocence. I wanted to know more: more about Cumberbatch's chocolate factory, more about the cousin, but here they get away with it, and the others have an unsatisfying ending. Until the end of the war also represents the closure of the love story. But beyond this painful story, each of the cinematic elements (visuals, music, everything...) combine perfectly to create an impeccable aesthetic. How can you not be enveloped by the summer atmosphere and then by a desperate war that contrasts sharply with the previous style? See more Izzy B @banny2003 Jan 19 A beautiful film and a heartwrenchingly tragic plot. Unfortunately it doesn't do the book justice in terms of depicting the complexities surrounding deceit and loss. Nice effort tho See more Shyodo @Shyodo Jan 12 It is a beautiful movie about love But mostly tragic and therefore sometimes painful to watch Only for the strong hearted See more Sahil @Sahilfayaz Dec 12 One of those movies that sticks with you See more FR f @theferra69 Dec 10 Goodmovie, emotional, and with plot See more 21 - Priyan B @Priyan Nov 4 Characters weren't deep enough and shallow screenplay ruined the movie. Rating: 4/10 See more Read all reviews
Atonement

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Wright

Director

James McAvoy

Robbie Turner

Keira Knightley

Cecilia Tallis

Romola Garai

Briony - Age 18

Saoirse Ronan

Briony - Age 13

Brenda Blethyn

Grace Turner

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Atonement

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Movie Info

Synopsis This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner. When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony, all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.
Director
Joe Wright
Producer
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster
Screenwriter
Christopher Hampton
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Relativity Media, StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Universal Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Disturbing War Images|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 7, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$50.9M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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