Saturday, 2 July 2011

Atonement (UK, 2007)

Pre WWII stately English home in which the jealous, scheming, calumniating Briony wrecks the romance between her older sister and servant family's son who is jailed for a crime he did not commit. Fast forward some years later to WWII; what will eventually become of the lovers, and indeed Briony?

Surprisingly successful as a period piece (costume, props etc), eschewing easy morality, in places touching, and never demanding less than full attention. At the clever, slightly unexpected conclusion of the story, the question remains: Has there truly been atonement?

Touted on the DVD cover as being from the same director as 'Pride and Prejudice', this is by far the better film.

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