Joe Wright's gorgeous adaptation of Ian McEwan's epic novel of romance and betrayal could very well emerge as this award season's biggest firestarter when it comes to splitting the opinions of audiences. In the "Pros" column there is no doubt going to be talk of the breathtaking beauty of its photography, an elegant and dreamy realization of McEwan's text that's so crystal clear it may come closest of all recent cinematic adaptations to matching the lyricism of great prose. In the "Cons" list there's also a strong case to be made that the core of the film, a star-crossed romance between Cecilia, (Keira Knightley) the elegant daughter of a wealthy family, and the lowly groundkeeper's son Robbie (James McAvoy), just doesn't work. The surreally magnetic connection between the two emerges suddenly and then becomes quickly relegated to a sight unseen character motivation for reasons I will not divulge. Needless to say that the emotional inertia of Cecilia and Robbie's connection leaves much of the film hanging by a very thin thread. The connection between the two is supposed to be the catalyst for a historical epic, but it's actually the dullest thing about this film. Scenes exclusively between the two are filled with little more than picturesque and utterly unreal dramatizations of their glorious love affair. The whole thing reeks of the sort of indulgent contrivance that morphs sweeping romance into blubbery gush. To reconcile the "Pros" and "Cons" I'll say only this: Atonement is beautiful, perhaps even the most stunning film so far this year, but save for some scenes so tragic it would take soullessness not to feel them, it's not likely to stir much honest feeling from its audience.The real heart of the film is the emotionally complex, at times unlikable, but always fascinating little sister to Cecilia, Briony (played at various ages by the equally brilliant Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Vanessa Redgrave). Her childhood cruelty leads to a series of events with terrifying consequences for all. Briony's journey is really the only dramatic story with bite. She's a prickly youngster but morphs into a remorseful, repetent young woman in due time. Her transformation is inspiring in small ways though ultimately futile and heartbreaking. As the film ends, we feel only small sympathy for the victims of Briony's betrayal, namely Cecilia and Robbie whose conflicts are almost fully engulfed by the film's eagerness to look and feel lovely. What we feel most strongly is an aching sorrow for the anti-hero that is Briony Tallis and a devastating understanding that great sins can never truly be atoned.
Grade: B+
