Director:
Joe Wright
Cast :
Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave and Romola Garai.
Synopsis:
It's 1935 and thirteen year old Briony Tallis, an aspiring writer with a wild imagination, is fascinated by the behaviour of the adults around her, despite not understanding what they are doing. She witnesses two strange encounters between her older sister Cecilia and Robbie, a family friend and son of the cook. She believes, after reading a letter from Robbie to Cecilia, that Robbie is a dangerous, sex crazed individual. When she walks in on Robbie and Cecilia making love in the library, which she believes to be an attack on her sister, her suspicions about Robbie are confirmed. Later that night their cousin Lola is raped in the grounds of their house and Briony accuses Robbie of the crime. The three main character's lives pivot on this one event: Robbie is sent to prison before going to fight for his country in the Second World War, Cecilia leaves her family behind and becomes a nurse in blitz London, and Briony spends her whole life attempting to atone for her mistake.
Critics:
‘As close to perfect as a movie can get.’ Daily Mirror
"Atonement sweeps you up on waves of humour, heartbreak and ravishing romance." Rolling Stone
‘What a clever, ambitious, compassionate picture it is; what a success for Joe Wright, and for Knightley and McAvoy.’ The Guardian.
Awards/Nominations:
Atonement won Best Picture at both the Golden Globes and the Bafta’s, as well as being nominated for Best british Film at the Bafta’s.
It was voted one of the top films of the year by the National Board of Review as well as being nominated at the Critics Choice Awards.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Other nominations for Best Picture