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Atonement
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Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 304 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Brenda Blethyn, James McAvoy, Keira Knightley
  • Summary: Atonement spans several decades. In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner, the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister, Cecilia. Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony--who has a crush on Robbie--is compelled to interfere, going so far as to accuse Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but Robbie is arrested--and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement and to an understanding of the power of enduring love. (Focus Features)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    100
    Nothing in Joe Wright's screen version of Ian McEwan's dense, internalized 2001 novel of secrets and lies should really work, but damn near everything does. It's some kind of miracle. Written, directed and acted to perfection, Atonement sweeps you up on waves of humor, heartbreak and ravishing romance.
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    This is one of the year's best films, a certain best picture nominee.
  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Anthony Lane
    60
    You have to admire it, when so much of the competition seems inane and slack, but you can't help wondering, with some impatience, what happened to its heart.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 151
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 151
  3. Negative: 35 out of 151
  1. EssenceOfSugar
    10
    A sweet film. The lives entwined by childhood innocence, love and consequences enlivened by the beautiful natural surroundings helped it become more bearable. This film was naturally emotional, instead of forcing yourself not to cry, it does it for you. It also has one of the most haunting endings you could ever have in such a drama. If the film is that good, I will have to read the book as well. The acting in this is also particularly significant, such as the traumatic performance of the life of Briony.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. rotku
    5
    While I can appreciate why some people would enjoy this movie I felt it was more of a period drama and was annoyingly slow moving. There were no surprises in the movie so why they chose to drag out the scenes is beyond me. Also the disjointed plot involving the second world war scenes only further distanced me from the movie. Although it was all brought together at the end I struggled to keep my interest from waning.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JeffJ.
    3
    Vastly overrated, with goofy storytelling, odd pacing, bizarre editing, less-than-convincing acting and a ridiculous ending. Given all the "100" ratings, I guess I was expecting something like Dr. Zhivago or Romeo and Juliet. Yawn.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 151 User Reviews

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