Atonement (R)

Stellar literary adaptation too mature for kids.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
5
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Focus Features, Focus Features
  • Directed By: Joe Wright
  • Cast: Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, James McAvoy
  • Running Time: 123 minutes
  • Release Date: 12/06/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 03/17/2008
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: disturbing war images, language and some sexuality.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this adaptation of Ian McEwan's best-selling novel set in pre-WW II England deals with themes -- including adolescent immaturity, class differences, lying, and passion -- that are too complex for all but the most mature teens to really be able to grasp and put in context. There are a couple of sexual situations, and the extended scene of the evacuation from Dunkirk is bloody and disturbing. A particular "bad" word ("c--t"), used out of desire instead of anger, is shown in typeface several times throughout the film. Other language includes "s--t" and "f--k"; there's also social drinking and period-accurate smoking.

Families can talk about the impact of Briony's lie. What misconceptions led her to think she saw Robbie committing a crime? What does the story convey about the power of words and the flexibility of truth? Older teens who are precocious readers may want to read the novel and discuss whether the film is an accurate, adequate adaptation.

Message

Social Behavior:

A young adolescent's distortion of the truth leads to devastating, irreversible results. A grown woman tries to "atone" for her past wrongdoing.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Like any upper-crust English family, the Tallises drink cocktails, wine, and champagne at a dinner party. During the Dunkirk scene, soldiers are shown drinking in a makeshift pub, while one character tries in vain to get a drink. Men and women smoke cigarettes, as was the style in the '30s and '40s.

Violence

The war-related scenes in France and at Dunkirk are disturbing: soldiers shooting their horses, a field full of dead schoolgirls, amputees, bloody soldiers, etc. There's a graphic scene of a patient's head injury at a London hospital, as well as many bloody men. Another scene shows dying and dead men, as well as a group of Londoners about to perish.

Sex

Cecilia and Robbie share a few passionate kisses and an intimate lovemaking scene, but there's no nudity -- just quick shots of sleeves slipping off of shoulders and tuxedo pants opening, etc.

Language

"C--t" (aka "the most horrible word you've ever heard") is shown typewritten, several times. Other words include "bastard," "f--k," "s--t," and more.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

Based on the best-selling novel by English author Ian McEwan, ATONEMENT is an epic love story about Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the son of a rich English family's housekeeper, and upper-crust beauty Cecelia Tallis (Keira Knightley). Robbie, who was sent to Cambridge on the Tallis family's benevolent dime, secretly admires Cecilia. Cee's 13-year-old sister Briony, a fabulist who lives in her own girlish world of plays and poems, harbors a crush on Robbie, which leads her to misinterpret a steamy moment between Cee and Robbie as an attack. Fueled by a shocking love letter draft that Robbie unintentionally sends to Cee, Briony accuses Robbie of an unrelated sexual crime. And suddenly the film, like the book, skips ahead five years, as Robbie -- now an ex-con soldier -- and two other men walk through war-torn France to the pivotal evacuation at Dunkirk. Robbie is just one of tens of thousands of men waiting to get back to England -- with just his letters from Cee and the memory of their stolen embraces to give him comfort. As in the book, as the movie nears its end, viewers meet an elderly Briony, convincingly played by Vanessa Redgrave, who still wears the same hairstyle and figureless dresses sported by the 13-year-old Ronan. She's finally gotten a chance to fully make up for her adolescent mistakes.

Is it any good?

5
McEwan’s novel isn’t easy to translate onto the big screen. The book is about the power of words, the blurry line between fantasy and truth, and the consequence of not understanding the meaning of words or sexual attraction. But director Joe Wright, who made 2006's Oscar-nominated Pride & Prejudice, does an admirable job of creating a faithful adaptation that resonates with viewers, whether they're familiar with the book or not.

Knightley and McAvoy have enough chemistry to make their scenes sizzle, and McAvoy in particular breaks out as an actor destined for leading-man status. His boyish looks allow him to be forceful and vulnerable at the same time, and he's surprisingly attractive -- but not in an overwhelming Brad Pitt way that distracts from his performance. Wright and Knightley (who also starred in his Pride & Prejudice) also seem to understand each other, and if a third film results from the pairing, it will be quite clear that he's found his professional muse.

Related Video

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 24 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

SOOO SAD!!!!!!!

i thought atonement was one of the best/saddest movies i have seen in a while!! although i do wish there had been more interaction between cecelia and Robbie before they told each other they're in love!! JAMES MCAVOY= BRILLIANT!!!!!! he definatley should have been nominated for an oscar for this movie!! the music was also fantastic!! i absolutley love this movie!!
4


Posted on 07/08/08 by VicGirl70 Kid contributor, age 13

Please, people!

Honestly, it's not all that bad. I read the book and it was wonderful. "c--t", as a bad word in desire just annoys me because it is normal. GET OVER YOURSELVES, PARENTS! YOUR KIDS ARE MORE MATURE THEN YOU THINK, FOOLS!
3


Posted on 06/28/08 by savvyanna13 Kid contributor, age 13

5


Posted on 06/18/08 by lin2211 Kid contributor, age 15

5


Posted on 06/15/08 by vrumayo90210 Kid contributor, age 14

Age 17+
3


Posted on 05/31/08 by broadwaybaby Adult contributor

This certainly had the potential to be a masterpiece...

...Until James McAvoy pinned Keira Knightley up against a book shelf, effectively making himself vaguely resemble a mad scientist and she his long-limbered and oddly flexible Frankenshteen. Parents, be warned: this isn't for the kiddies. Language, sex, language, more sex, violence, more language, more violence. And more sex. The acting is brilliant, the music is brilliant, the characters are brilliant, and the plot is brilliant, but there's just something about this flick that doesn't ring true to me - it might be the melodrama. But it is on the verge of being something very amazing, it just doesn't hit that point. When critics called it the Titanic of this year, be warned: that's just what it is. You either leave the movie sobbing from the sentimentality or you leave the movie sobbing because it was so bad. Sound familiar, Titanic fans?
3


Posted on 04/19/08 by Stanley Kid contributor, age 13

Good, but not great...

I've heard alot of people trash this movie, calling it "boring", "stupid", and "a waste of time", but then again, those people also liked "masterpieces" like No Country For Cop-Outs and There Will Be A "WTF" Ending. I mean, I didn't particulary enjoy the plot twist at the end of this movie, but at least there was an ending and not some crappy line uttered and then cut to black! Well, anyway, Atonement, as far as romances go, was pretty watchable. It kept you interested, the acting/casting was perfect, and the script was pretty decent. Watch this movie if you're really bored on a Friday night.
Age 17+
4

Posted on 04/11/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Troubling

While I agree this film is NOT for children, I do think it had some moral discussion points. There is much to be said about the young sister who thinks she knows something and while her feelings have been hurt, she intentionally sets someone up to be wrongly accused. This spirals into an unbelieveable nightmare that she had no idea she was creating. When she matures and realizes what the consequences of her actions are, she tries to atone for it. Troubling, violent war scenes and sexual situation. Overall a very good adult film.
Age 17+
0


Posted on 03/29/08 by dtakle Adult contributor

Sick

The movie portrayed far too much evil without so much as a hint of redemption. It was hard enough to watch from the beginning, but the ending left me felt as if I had been crapped on. The story line was monstrously sick and completely devoid of moral value. Giving it the title "Atonement" was deliberately deceptive, a horrible attempt to pretend that evil can be given some other face that what it has. There was nothing atoning about it, and the viewer is violated almost as much as the characters in the movie. I am appalled at the actors who agreed to do this, and shocked that people think it worthy of awards. It may well be the worst experience I have ever had in a theater.
4

Posted on 03/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

atonement

Yes i think this movie was a bit over rated but watch it a few times before you make judgement. It was a very well put together story but confusing at times but overall a beautiful film with a message

See all 24 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 10 reviews.

Age 17+
3


Posted on 05/31/08 by broadwaybaby Adult contributor

This certainly had the potential to be a masterpiece...

...Until James McAvoy pinned Keira Knightley up against a book shelf, effectively making himself vaguely resemble a mad scientist and she his long-limbered and oddly flexible Frankenshteen. Parents, be warned: this isn't for the kiddies. Language, sex, language, more sex, violence, more language, more violence. And more sex. The acting is brilliant, the music is brilliant, the characters are brilliant, and the plot is brilliant, but there's just something about this flick that doesn't ring true to me - it might be the melodrama. But it is on the verge of being something very amazing, it just doesn't hit that point. When critics called it the Titanic of this year, be warned: that's just what it is. You either leave the movie sobbing from the sentimentality or you leave the movie sobbing because it was so bad. Sound familiar, Titanic fans?
Age 17+
4

Posted on 04/11/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Troubling

While I agree this film is NOT for children, I do think it had some moral discussion points. There is much to be said about the young sister who thinks she knows something and while her feelings have been hurt, she intentionally sets someone up to be wrongly accused. This spirals into an unbelieveable nightmare that she had no idea she was creating. When she matures and realizes what the consequences of her actions are, she tries to atone for it. Troubling, violent war scenes and sexual situation. Overall a very good adult film.
Age 17+
0


Posted on 03/29/08 by dtakle Adult contributor

Sick

The movie portrayed far too much evil without so much as a hint of redemption. It was hard enough to watch from the beginning, but the ending left me felt as if I had been crapped on. The story line was monstrously sick and completely devoid of moral value. Giving it the title "Atonement" was deliberately deceptive, a horrible attempt to pretend that evil can be given some other face that what it has. There was nothing atoning about it, and the viewer is violated almost as much as the characters in the movie. I am appalled at the actors who agreed to do this, and shocked that people think it worthy of awards. It may well be the worst experience I have ever had in a theater.
Age 17+
3


Posted on 03/21/08 by apedigo08 Adult contributor

Age 17+
5


Posted on 02/23/08 by chemicalfire Adult contributor

A well-written, entertaining movie!

Atonement is a story of a young girl, Briony Tallis, who loses her innocence, and in turn commits a terrible sin against her sister and her sister's lover. The guilt of this act eats away at her for years, so she tries to atone for what she has done in the only way she knows how. This movie contains graphic sexual language and sexual situations, including scenes of pedophilia. The movie also contains some blood and violence, including animal violence, and may be very disturbing for younger viewers. I recommend this movie for mature viewers.
Age 17+
4


Posted on 02/16/08 by merlez Adult contributor

A lesson in misunderstanding

This was a beautifully filmed epic type picture. I enjoyed looking at it. but it's time shifting story telling was a bit confusing at times. For me, in the end it wasn't quite satisfying. But I really liked the originality of it anyway. I also had a hard time "buying into" the use of the controverial word, it seemed out of place to me. Because of the brief but fairly graphic sexual content I would not recomend this for those under 17.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 12/29/07 by zx1200rgreen Adult contributor

original and thoughtful

A great movie. Very little swearing, one "steamy scence" which really did not need to be in the movie. A great film. Well thought out, a romantic story, that has a very realistic feel to it. Not really a feel good movie, but it does move you.
Age 17+
0

Posted on 12/28/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I was sooo bored

It was not at all what the hype on it intimated. Basically boring and a little gruesome. Didn't like the horses being shot. Don't waste the price of a ticket.
Age 17+
2


Posted on 12/13/07 by GearMaven Adult contributor

Not worth the hoopla!

My friends and I attended the SF free screening. About 1/2 hour into the movie, I felt as if I had sat through 2 hours already. The beginning sequences dragged on unnecessarily and interminably. Found the entire dysfunctional family depressing and uninteresting. By one hour, I couldn't care less about any of these characters except the young man unjustly accused. Kiera looked like an emaciated "Kate Moss" lookalike; what an example! Seemed another big boost for the tobacco industry with all lighting up when they could! The cinemotography was beautiful at times, but the full complement of unnecessarily drawn out scenes made the whole thing not worthwhile.
Age 17+
4


Posted on 12/10/07 by themoonglow Adult contributor

See all 10 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 14 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

SOOO SAD!!!!!!!

i thought atonement was one of the best/saddest movies i have seen in a while!! although i do wish there had been more interaction between cecelia and Robbie before they told each other they're in love!! JAMES MCAVOY= BRILLIANT!!!!!! he definatley should have been nominated for an oscar for this movie!! the music was also fantastic!! i absolutley love this movie!!
4


Posted on 07/08/08 by VicGirl70 Kid contributor, age 13

Please, people!

Honestly, it's not all that bad. I read the book and it was wonderful. "c--t", as a bad word in desire just annoys me because it is normal. GET OVER YOURSELVES, PARENTS! YOUR KIDS ARE MORE MATURE THEN YOU THINK, FOOLS!
3


Posted on 06/28/08 by savvyanna13 Kid contributor, age 13

5


Posted on 06/18/08 by lin2211 Kid contributor, age 15

5


Posted on 06/15/08 by vrumayo90210 Kid contributor, age 14

3


Posted on 04/19/08 by Stanley Kid contributor, age 13

Good, but not great...

I've heard alot of people trash this movie, calling it "boring", "stupid", and "a waste of time", but then again, those people also liked "masterpieces" like No Country For Cop-Outs and There Will Be A "WTF" Ending. I mean, I didn't particulary enjoy the plot twist at the end of this movie, but at least there was an ending and not some crappy line uttered and then cut to black! Well, anyway, Atonement, as far as romances go, was pretty watchable. It kept you interested, the acting/casting was perfect, and the script was pretty decent. Watch this movie if you're really bored on a Friday night.
4

Posted on 03/24/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 16

atonement

Yes i think this movie was a bit over rated but watch it a few times before you make judgement. It was a very well put together story but confusing at times but overall a beautiful film with a message
0


Posted on 03/23/08 by Krozo Kid contributor, age 15

The Most Overrated Movie I've Ever Seen

Atonement is probably the worst All of the characters in this movie, other than Robbie and Secilia, has terrible social behavior. A girl named Riley sends Robbie to jail after accusing him of sexually assaulting a girl because she was jealous. Robbie is then sent to war because he does not want to stay in jail. The character Secilia is good, but Keira Knightly's portrayal of her is just horrid. This movie is, in many occasions, told in flashbacks for no reason what so ever. For the first 20 minutes of the movie, the same exact scenes were show back to back to each other. For example, when Secilia breaks a vase and a shattered piece falls in the pond, that same exact scene is repeated right after the scene ends for no apparent reason. In the end, I did not care about what happens to any of these characters. Atonement is an absolute mess of a movie.
4


Posted on 01/26/08 by godfather Kid contributor, age 17

Well-crafted and thought-provoking

This movie from Joe Wright, based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, is certainly one of the highlights of the 2007 movies. It may seem a little slow at first (I think it was drawn out a bit too much), but it's worth the price of admission. It is smartly done, with scenes being shown and rewound and shown with a different POV. The story is wonderfully crafted, and is an example of how someone does something terrible that betrays others, and puts off making things right to the point where she ends up betraying herself too. A side story is how this is just one example of the many couples who were tragically separated by the war. This movie was very well done and deserves its Oscar nominations.
5


Posted on 01/13/08 by redfiretruck Kid contributor, age 15

See all 14 kids reviews >
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