My dad suggested our family watch "Atonement", and I'm always open to seeing a film blind. This made me appreciate it even more perhaps, since "Atonement" switches its tone quite drastically over its runtime. It's an adaptation of an eponymous book I wasn't familiar with either, but I have added it to my backlog since it appears to have a positive reception of its own. I'm paying specific attention to this fact, because "Atonement" is a dissection on literature/stories.

Cecillia and Robbie are our main characters here, a love duo whose relationship takes on many strides. Cliches are used fairly well and the movie has many interesting twists that elevate this way beyond the cheesy love story it occassionaly portrays itself as. Decades pass as the plot furthers. I was not familiar with the WWII setting that would be present here, though it is not the focus. With that, I should also say that it occassionaly veers into pretentious Hollywood symbolism; some of the stylisation was overdone here. Besides that, you really do get to see the horrors of war and a solid exploration of the human condition. I was left with many questions of my own self after watching it.

Interestingly enough, "Atonement" won an Oscar for Best Original Score, an area where my subjectivity will have to provide a more mixed opinion. Typewriting sounds are heavily represented in the audio; a creative idea, but one that got stale past its first appearance. There's nothing particularly interesting done with the typewriter musically either, at least nothing that I noticed. The orchestral score was solid, but didn't blow me away. I'd also have to say that the mixing was far too loud at times, and the music unnecessarily overbearing. Truthfully, I think it took me out of the scenery sometimes. The acting was powerful enough.

Indeed, the performances here were outstanding. Keira Knightley has a wonderful, mysterious charm, while also presenting heavy emotional turmoil. James McAvoy is great at depicting the loss of hope his character went through. Briony goes through much growth here, literal and metaphorical, and all the actresses responsible for her were fantastic. There is an emotional stuntedness that the younger actresses carry out in quite the believable manner. The rest of the cast are quite good as well, but didn't stand out all that much, and this was probably for the best.

I have to applaud "Atonement" for its nonlinear storytelling and the amazing use of an unreliable narrator. I was not lost at any point, and whatever confusion arose only kept me more glued to the screen. Everything wraps up nicely in the end, and even the weird pieces of this puzzle make sense in the grander scheme of things.

"Atonement" is a great film and I would recommend it to most people, particularly those looking for an unconventional tale about love, desparation, the power of stories. It seems to be hardly talked about, and while I can see why that is, I say check it out if you haven't. It's a gem.