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Atonement
- Review Date: March 17, 2008
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Stellar literary adaptation too mature for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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.
What's the story?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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.
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AGE
Great for the Mature teen
I watched it when I was 12 and it wasn't so bad. It was an amazing movie!! I think the C word wasn't that big of a deal since it was only type written. But if you are sensitive about it, pre watch it write the time the C word comes up on your arm and when its about to be shown ask your child to go get you a glass of water. Its overall a great love story with great actors!!
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AGE
Absolutely wonderful
Attempting to describe this film's plot would be futile (I tried in my review of "Eternal Sunshine" and it didn't work out too well) for it includes too much to make sense on paper. There is a letter mix-up, a visitor who may not be who he people who invited him remember him as, a forbidden love and raging jealousy which leads a young girl to make a horrifying accusation which threatens the life of one of the star-crossed lovers. There was really nothing about this film that didn't work: it had great music, great acting, a wonderful script, and a brilliant conclusion that is heartfelt without being sappy. Another strong suit of the film is to replay multiple events from various people's points of view, making the event more clear each time that it is shown. I will say that the first half of the film is stronger than the second half. The front is set up like a romantic thriller and the second half is more of a war film, which weakens it ever-so-slightly, but even its weakest points are well above average; not to mention the second-half's hair-raising twist. "Atonement" is a great ecploration of love, childhood innocence and, ultimately, sorrow. As far as content goes, there is one sex scene that does not contain nudity but is rather extensive, as well as a few disturbing war images. It is appropriate for most teens, but it probably won't really interest them; they may find it rather slow and tedious (even though they are sadly mistaken.) Just brilliant.
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Literary adaptation tackels lies, and their effects.
Atonement is a cinematical masterpiece, that is written, acted, directed, photographed, and scored to perfection. The movie will spark great conversations about lies, and how sometimes, a careless mistake can ultimalely ruin a person's life.
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AGE
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!!
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AGE
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.
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| Studio: | Focus Features |
| Director: | Joe Wright |
| Cast: | James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 6, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | March 17, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | disturbing war images, language and some sexuality. |
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