Atonement

Atonement (James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave) – Amidst a lot of Oscar hype, Atonement is the only major “period piece” of the year. Set in the mid-30s through the early stages of World War II, the movie is essentially a love story with a betrayal theme.  The young lovers are the wealthy Cecelia Tallis (Knightley) and the estate worker, Robbie Turner (McAvoy), who have known each other since childhood and discovered their feelings for each other as the movie opens.  Cecelia’s younger sister, Briony (Ronan), a budding writer, has had a crush on Robbie from the time she was 10.  When she witnesses the couple’s act of love, she reacts as a jealous teenager would. But worse, she subsequently pins an apparent rape of her friend on Robbie.  For some reason, the police believe her, and Robbie is sent to jail for four years and then the army.  The battle in France isn’t going well, and Robbie only has his love for Cecelia to motivate him.  Cecelia, knowing that Robbie has been unjustly accused, is estranged from the family and wants nothing to do with her sister.  Meanwhile, Briony grows up, volunteers as a nurse, realizes her terrible sin, and witnesses the horrors of war.  The rest is a bit overwrought but the story is compelling, engrossing and engaging.  Just when you feel redemption and reconciliation is coming, the movie abruptly (maybe too quickly) moves about 50 or more years ahead.  I’ll save the rest for your movie visit.  In terms of the acting, McAvoy (The King of Scotland, Becoming Jane) is exceptional again; Knightly (Oscar nominated for Pride and Prejudice) is good but she’s still not a great actress yet; and the girls/women playing Briony are surprising.  This is a must-see film but I’m not sure it deserves the Academy Award nomination that most people think it will get.