My favorite movies are always the ones that unfold over the next few days as you think about them more and more. The movie "Atonement" is one of those fantastic creations that keeps you thinking about it for days afterward. I have never read the book, but I will definitely make the time to do so now.



The director does an excellent job of pacing the movie through well-planned jumps in time, which allows you to see everyone's perspective as the drama is revealed. Many cultural mores and attitudes are blended into the effortless storyline: Fall from Eden, elitism and prejudice, selfishness, and even some of Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. Since I do not want to reveal too much of the movie, I will not say anything more about it except that the director really knows how to show a story and leave you to continue piecing it together long after the movie is over.



My only criticism is actually on the director's commentary (if you listen to such things...I'm oddball enough to watch it when I really like the movie). While I appreciated his comments about "all the kitsch" and "the power of the writer to rewrite the story", it seemed like he was missing a large point of the plot itself: There are some mistakes which can never be repaired no matter how sorry you are...hence the title, Atonement. When we are faced with those situations, all we can do is make the best of it no matter how bad the outcome, and decide what path we will take the next time we see the same situation again. That to me is the difference between Reckoning (nothing learned) and Atonement (taking the experience with you). If you love the movie and decide to listen to the Director's commentary, I recommend giving it at least a few weeks after watching the movie the first time to avoid feeling let down.