Atonement Reviews
Critic & User Reviews
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Critic Reviews
An unforgettable examination of a host of dark impulses.
Read the full reviewThis is one of the year's best films, a certain best picture nominee.
Read the full reviewA singular achievement -- romantic, sensuous, intelligent and finally shattering in its sweep and thematic complexity.
Read the full reviewThis is one of the few adaptations that gives a splendid novel the film it deserves.
Read the full reviewRarely has a book sprung so vividly to life, but also worked so enthrallingly in pure movie terms, as with Atonement, Brit helmer Joe Wright?s smart, dazzlingly upholstered adaptation of Ian McEwan?s celebrated 2001 novel.
Read the full reviewNothing in Joe Wright's screen version of Ian McEwan's dense, internalized 2001 novel of secrets and lies should really work, but damn near everything does. It's some kind of miracle. Written, directed and acted to perfection, Atonement sweeps you up on waves of humor, heartbreak and ravishing romance.
Read the full reviewNothing comes easily in Atonement, especially its ending, which, both happy and tragic, is as wrenching as it is genuinely satisfying. How fitting, somehow, that a novel so devoted to the precision and passionate love of language be captured in a film that is simply too exquisite for words.
Read the full reviewThe generous, sharp performances, especially Garai's, deepen the story's emotional impact, as does Wright's assured, frequently astounding direction.
Read the full reviewWith compelling and charismatic performances by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy as the lovers, and a stunning contribution from Romola Garai as their remorseful nemesis, the film goes directly to "The English Patient" territory and might also expect rapturous audiences and major awards.
Read the full reviewAtonement is effective at getting under the skin, and some audience members won't like that.
Read the full reviewIn the end -- an ending of such power and narrative originality (in both book and movie) that those who know it ought never breathe a word to those who don't.
Read the full reviewThe movie never goes as deep as the novel (no movie could), but it's a worthy approximation: a Merchant-Ivory movie that turns in on itself with a lucid and painful sigh.
Read the full reviewThe movie version feels like a stately, but watered down, episode of "Masterpiece Theatre" fused with "The English Patient."
Read the full reviewAtonement fails to be anything more than a decorous, heavily decorated and ultimately superficial reading of the book on which it is based.
Read the full reviewReview excerpts provided by Metacritic.com.
The Metascore® designation for this movie is 85
User Reviews
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Why?
"Can't figure out why this movie was made. Was slow and depressing. The character who waited until she was dying to tell the truth of how she ruined two lives had no courage whatsoever. She did nothing for her two victims. She got rich writing books. She never had the courage to tell the truth aboutthe "fake rape" between the chocolate manufacturer and the consensual sex he had with the girl. What about some justice somewhere in this movie? Downer."
A wonderful and timeless film
"I in no way thought that this film was boring or slow. I can't believe how some couldn't appreciate the beauty and significance that this film protrays. If you actually watch the film and open your hearts, you will get the theme and tragedy of the movie. I thought the performances were mesmerizing, the setting was amazing, and the plot tragic, yet penetrating. I find the film to be a brilliant interpretation of McEwan novel, which amazingly dipicts and stays true to the reality and consequences of a forever changing lie. I found this film to be one of the best romance movies of all time. It touches you deeply and shakes your soul to its core."
Best Picture in Years
"No one could predict the ending in this classic piece of film making. It is Casablanca, Wuthering Heights and Gone With the Wind with 2 hours of fantasic scenery, musical score and over-all outstanding acting for all members of the cast. The theme carries throughout the film and the viewer will eventually feel that the atonement for misdeeds has been paid for time and again. Truly a beautiful film."
Slow.....Boring......Stupid
"Slow.....Boring.....Stupid. What more needs to be said!!!!!"
Atonement
"i read the book before i saw the film and im glad i did because it helped me know what was going oni really loved it i thought it was excellent, keira knightley and james mcavoy did a wonderful job portraying the characters of Robbie and Cecilia as well as saorise as briony.the setting was beautiful, the costume designs were perfect and i love that green dress on keira knightley she look gorgeous and the music was perfect for the story.i will buy this the day it comes out on DVD =]"
You're kidding me right??
"Absolutely the most boring movie I've seen in a long time .No idea why the two main characters were so in love, zip for character development, I could have cared less about either of them. If I hadn't been with friends I would have walked out. Sooo slow - characters would strike a pained pose and stand there for seemingly forever before anyone utters a word. All Keira Knightley (who I usually enjoy) did was purse her lips and look unhappy. That's acting? UGH!Titanic may have been a "commercial" success and therefore not worthy of the snob appeal of this film but at least I had SOME idea of why Jack"
Boring
"First movie I have walked out midway in a very long time. Unbelievably slow and predictable. My 'Chick Flick' wife was the first to say 'Let's cut our losses and get out of here!'"
Atonement
"Good movie. The timeline was a little confusing how it switched. I did not leave with a settling feeling though. The ending. WOW. This was a well made movie"
BAD
"bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd"
DEPRESSING AND RUINED MY NIGHT
"I agree with "antqcr" the most DEPRESSING movie I have ever seen! "Stupid" or "Dumb" is too good to call this "Incoherent" movie. PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY SEEING THE DUMBEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!"
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