"Atonement" is a haunting, intensely romantic, lush movie that achieves something of epic proportions from its elements. This is kind of surprising, because when you think back on the story, it doesn't sound grand. There is one unforgettable, huge scene of war that is at once dreamlike and horrifically realistic. But in general it's the images, the pacing, the compositions that director Joe Wright constructs, and above all the performances from the principles that keep coming back to me again and again.
Keira Knightly, who must be the most beautiful actress working today, is utterly convincing as Cecilia Tallis, the reluctant lover, whose pent up emotion, when it does finally break through, leads her to the most surprising of circumstances. And James McEvoy gives us yet another outstanding portrayal in his growing body of work. Of course you remember him as the doctor in "The Last King of Scotland" (2006) and as Tom Lefroy in "Becoming Jane" (2007), but if you haven't seen him in "Starter for 10," a British coming of age film about a quiz-whiz college student who must choose between the two women in his life, put it on your rental list. Unfortunately titled for American audiences, this lovely little film grossed only $217,000 in its limited run early last year.
But it is the remarkable performance of Saoirse Ronan, who plays the 13-year-old younger sister Briony Tallis that holds the movie together. Ronan, whose first name is pronounced "SEER sha," I am told, is actually 13 and expertly conveys the adolescent emotions and longings of someone who loses herself in writing and make-believe. It is Briony who, seeing something she does not understand, and who makes a false report that affects so many lives, that later feels compelled to make some kind of atonement. In doing so, her character raises questions about the role of the artist, whether another lie, no matter how alluring, can atone for anything, and even whether artists are working out issues only for themselves and would rather construct a fable than deal with real life.
As I say, it's a haunting movie, but it's the kind of ghostly presence whose visitations I don't mind at all.
Rated R. 130 minutes. Produced by Working Title Films. Distributed by Focus Features.
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This movie really shocked me. It was very beautiful and the green dress keira Knightly wore was amazing. I am always amazed about how one choice in a person life whether it is to tell a lie or beleive a lie can change so many other things.
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