Atonement (2007)

Director:

Joe Wright

Writers:

Ian McEwan (novel)
Christopher Hampton (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | War

Tagline:

You can only imagine the truth.

Plot:

Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Based on the British romance novel by Ian McEwan.

Plot Keywords:

Sister | Fountain | Letter | British | Typewriter

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 23 wins & 67 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Dec. 30

3:55 AM

HBO

Cast

Saoirse Ronan	...	Briony Tallis - Age 13
Ailidh Mackay	...	Singing Housemaid
Brenda Blethyn	...	Grace Turner
Julia West	...	Betty
James McAvoy	...	Robbie Turner
Harriet Walter	...	Emily Tallis
Keira Knightley	...	Cecilia Tallis
Juno Temple	...	Lola Quincey
Felix von Simson	...	Pierrot Quincey
Charlie von Simson	...	Jackson Quincey
Alfie Allen	...	Danny Hardman
Patrick Kennedy	...	Leon Tallis
Benedict Cumberbatch	...	Paul Marshall
Peter Wight	...	Police Inspector
Leander Deeny	...	Police Constable

Also Known As:

Reviens-moi (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing war images, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-13 | South Korea:15 | Germany:12 | Australia:MA | Singapore:M18 | Malaysia:U | Norway:11 | Sweden:11 | Brazil:14 | Taiwan:PG-12 | USA:R (certificate #43417) | France:U | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Japan:PG-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Norway:15 (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Aldwych Underground Station, Aldwych, Holborn, London, England, UK

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Keira Knightley is 3 years younger than Romola Garai but played her older sister.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the lake scene at the manor house, Cecilia is lying on her back on the springboard with her left leg over her right in the first shot. When the shot changes to a closer one with her feet towards the camera, she has her right leg over her left.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Briony Tallis, aged 13: I finished my play.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bringing the Past to Life: The Making of 'Atonement' (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

Clair de Lune

Pure poetry on film

My brain tends to turn to mush in the presence of greatness. This makes it difficult when I want to write about something that I thought was truly great. It is so much easier to write about something that is rubbish.

Oh, well. Here goes.

I thought that "Atonement" was terrific. It is a really great movie. Obviously it is early days yet, and there are a lot of contenders still to appear, but "Atonement" might just be the winner-in-waiting of the Best Film Oscar in 2008. Put your money on it now.

"Atonement" is pure poetry on film. From the hazy, dreamy, hopeful days of 1935, a destructive act of spite, the horrors of Dunkirk (with one of the most fantastic long takes I have seen in a cinema for a very long), to the aftermath and a devastating "happy" ending, it is a magnificent and moving film, beautifully directed by Joe Wright.

I have never really rated Keira Knightley or understood her popularity. Except for her role in "Pride & Prejudice" (for which she was perfectly cast) I have tended to refer to her as Girl-Who-Would-Be-Winslet, as I thought that she had not played a single role that Kate Winslet could not have done better. Maybe I won't say that anymore. "Atonement" is easily the best thing Keira Knightley has done.

Keira Knightley has had a lot of the press over here, but we should not forget to mention the pitch perfect performances from James McAvoy and Romola Garai. They share as much screen time as La Knightley and are as impressive.

Wonderful film.

Gushing over.