GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Atonement
Starring: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Brenda Blethyn
Universal Pictures

Rounding off 2007 at the movies would have to be one of the better films of the year, Atonement. This film is based on the novel of the same name by writer Ian McEwan. Set over several decades this film tells emotional and heart wrenching story of two sisters Briony and Cecilia Tallis who are torn apart by a viscous lie.

The film begins when Briony and Cecilia are small girls. Briony destroys her older sisters relationship by lying about her boyfriend Robbie. As a direct result of her lies Robbie is sent of to prison. Now eighteen years old, she is a nurse in war times. Having held this secret about what she did to herself for many years she decides to make it up to her sister and to Robbie. Could her forgiving ways come a little too late?

Having not read the book, the ending was surprising and thought provoking at the same time. How one foolish child’s action can alter the lives of so many people around her. James McAvoy is simply amazing in this film, and there is no doubt he will win a truckload of awards for his performance. Keira Knightley grows on me more and more after each film that I see her in. Her performance is touching and probably her most mature role to date.