Atonement

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Atonement

R

Released Dec 7, 2007

2h 3m

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

222 Reviews

80%

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100,000+ Ratings

This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.

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Critics Consensus

Atonement features strong performances, brilliant cinematography, and a unique score. Featuring deft performances from James MacAvoy and Keira Knightley, it's a successful adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It is an elegant and sophisticated film, one that never condescends or shirks from the complexity of the novel and its grand themes - war, love, sex, memory, betrayal, redemption - but it's also strangely unfeeling.

Aug 23, 2018

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: A-

Feb 14, 2012

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Christopher Orr

The New Republic

Atonement is a film out of balance, nimble enough in its first half but oddly scattered and ungainly once it leaves the grounds of the Tallis estate.

Sep 22, 2008

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Atonement might look from its glamorous shell like the usual British fantasy about WWII romance, but has something tougher, more meta and more timeless inside…

Rated: 4/5

Sep 7, 2024

Full Review

Andrew Collins

Radio Times

Atonement transcends the expectations of its country-house setting, via the privations of war, to deliver a knockout twist that works better on the screen than it did on the page.

Rated: 5/5

May 30, 2024

Full Review

Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

Your heart breaks for Cecilia, Robbie, and what should have been, as well as an adult Briony...

Oct 23, 2023

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Renate H

A movie that I think about often, even years after first watching! A favourite and always recommended to others. Whilst overall a sad movie, sometimes you need a movie to have a good cry and this is it. Beautifully written, thought provoking and beautifully cast. Always love a movie with an ending I didn’t see coming.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

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Fabrícia F

A união do drama com romance de época, uma fotografia impecável e roteiro incomum tornam essa história clássica, a junção do que há de mais comovente em um filme. Keira Knightley e James Mcavoy dão vida a um casal apaixonado, vítimas de um emaranhado de injustiças cruéis de alguém próximo que jamais poderiam supor. Perfeito, surpreendente, emocionante.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

Balaaj A

The way they play everything the screenplay and the Base was never moved it started it ends everything was so pointy. The shocked that we see in the end was too touchy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

Band from G

It was one of my favourite movies I've ever seen. Haunting and beautiful and just shows you what one lie can do to a vast number of people, places and things.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

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Roger T

The cinematography is excellent, but overall, just depressing....not a book I would want to read.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

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Christian K

Really kicks off great and has wonderful direction. Loses a lot of its steam for me in the middle Robbie war sequences (except the incredible Dunkirk scene).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

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Joe Wright

Director

James McAvoy

Robbie Turner

Keira Knightley

Cecilia Tallis

Romola Garai

Briony - Age 18

Saoirse Ronan

Briony - Age 13

Brenda Blethyn

Grace Turner

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Synopsis

This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.

Director: Joe Wright
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Working Title Films
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing War Images|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $50.9M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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