Atonement

We don’t get to watch movies often so when we do I’m always hopeful that it will be a good one – sometimes we lose but this time we definitely won!

“Atonement” was on my list of maybe-I’ll-get-to-it movies but I am really glad that we were able to see it on the weekend. The movie is an adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan and from what is posted online it seems like the movie does a very good job of staying true to the original story.

I won’t post any spoilers in case you haven’t seen the movie but the story revolves around the ideas of atonement, penance, repentance and forgiveness. The story – as a film – is told beautifully. The filmmaking is incredible, the Oscar-winning score is unbelievable and the use of flashbacks was done in the most non-cliché way I have ever seen. This is the first performance of Keira Knightley that I have actually enjoyed and the two actresses who play the role of her younger sister, Briony, do an incredible job.

“Atonement” is definitely a thumbs up as an adult-only movie – you should know that much from the R rating. There are for sure adult themes of sexuality and violence that need to be taken in to account but nothing gratuitous or totally inappropriate, in my opinion. The value of the story told in this film far outweighs any of the content concerns that may come up and this is definitely the kind of movie that would be an incredible discussion starter with people who are exploring the idea of the crucifixion as substitionary atonement or even those dealing with issues of guilt and blame.