Atonement (2007)

Just what I expected

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

A pure joy - sincere, pure and sensitive story about how one lie changes lives, how love fights it's way and how guilt rips apart.

AtonementWithin few minutes you will fall in this world i.e. so beautiful and horrific at the same time with the help of probably one of the best background score of all time (it may remind you of Birdman's background music). Atonement is the perfect mixture of two antonyms for when there is beauty in it one feels full of hope but when it gets dark, it may get difficult to digest the practicality of it. Hats off to Joe Wright, in its such a beautiful depiction of love, pettiness and consequences of ones action, by justifying each and every frame and character of it with a mild but dark tone. James McAvoy and Keira Knightly oozes vulnerability and strength at the same time, doing some of their best work with the help of brilliant supporting cast like Saoirse Ronan. Atonement steals the show in excellent execution, brilliant writing and stellar performances all wrapped up in one of the most dreadful and heartbreaking love story ever.

Stylish visuals, smart performances, neat direction, excellent classy Music score, 'Atonement' has it all but, what about the writing? According to the Academy and certain critics, this is class stuff – yet looking at a very large quantity of the viewer's comments, it seems they were more readily able to see the lack of believable story elements and situations contained within. Not many likable characters to help you connect with these, at times, one dimensional folk - who live their lives more like a group of yr 2000 HBO yuppie types - than the 1930s personalities they're supposed to be portraying. This good looking movie with its interesting title - tends yet again to prove that the current folk who make up our movie analyzers and judges of award worthy product, might be sadly lacking any practical understanding of decent writing. Don't look too hard at the details within this work or you may find yourself questioning the wisdom of the somewhat, over-the-top raves dished out to this, "could have been" but, "sadly is not" such a good story. There are some moments of high emotional impact during the latter half's war years and the performers play it all for real but, overall this ends up being for the easily pleased or lovers of big glossy productions, with more set dressing than real character or attention to fine details.

Looks like I'm one of the few out there that was not a fan of the movie. While I think the acting was superb, the sets and locations were stunning and visually appealing, the sound track was wonderful, the style of the movie was not to my liking. The movie is written in snippets, telling a story, then back filling it in. It continues to do this throughout the entire length of the movie, and I found it at times hard to follow and cumbersome. I don't believe the actual story line made itself known until about and 1 1/2 hours into the movie, and I was disappointed in how it wrapped itself up. I didn't hate it, but won't be keeping it on my list of movies to re-watch.