What's it about?
Set in 20th century and based on Ian McEwan's book, it tells the story of 13-year old playwriter Briony Tallis - who accuses her sister's lover of the crime committed by someone else and subsequently ruins his life.
Why watch it?
For a heart-breaking story that will leave you devastated when the titles roll.
Stars
Ratings
7,8 on IMDb
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
Critics Reception
Atonement is one of the most critically acclaimed period films ever made - to everyone's surprise, the director Joe Wright didn't just make a good adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel, but made it into a great movie where 'everything works'.
Historical Background
It is set in early-mid 20th century and one of the main characters Robbie ends up stranded on Dunkirk beach before the rescue mission arrived - a famous five-minute shot that is considered one of the finest representations of the historical events in film history, done long before Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk.
Reviews
Atonement, The Guardian
Atonement, Robert Ebert
Atonement, The New York Times
Atonement, Rolling Stone
Atonement Review, Empire