Healthy Living Books DVD

Rating: - Completely Overrated
Initially I was not keen to watch this film as I have never rated Keira Knightly as a particularly good actress, but after being up for so many awards I thought I had to give it a try. I was very disappointed, the story seemed pointless, I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but to find out half the film didn't actually happen drove me mad, just like the 'it was all a dream' story lines made you feel there was no point to it. That said James McAvoy was very good and worthy of his nominations. Keira Knightly was hardly in it, was very unconvincing and I have no idea how she was up for any awards. I also feel she is far to thin to be promoted as a leading lady and example, but that has no bearing on the film. Watch it at your peril.

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Rating: - Best of the British?
Good acting, good photography, good use of flashbacks and competent direction. Somewhere along the way, I was dozing off. One is left with some good images and a moral issue. But writing a book with the truth to atone for a sin which ultimately changed and claimed two lives -- is not atonement enough. The image of Kiera Knightly floating away is haunting. The actual atonement didn't move me. Perhaps the director should have taken a few liberties with the novel's storyline.

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Rating: - Boring.
What a boring moving.
I expected better, but nearly fell asleep within 30 mins of it starting.

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Rating: - ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
Atonement is a beautifully crafted film based on a wonderful book by Ian Macewan. The photography, script, acting and sound score are all excellent. Don't hesitate in ordering this DVD, this is film making at its absolute best.

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Rating: - Disappointing
Have to agree with a lot of what's been written. The film seems slow - I know there is a storyline there, but could have been 20 minutes shorter, surely? The whole country house toff thing isn't great, because it isn't clear really who's who, why they're there, etc, etc.

I actually liked the ending, and it almost made me give it 4 stars, but then I think back to the film's shortcomings, and left it as a 3.

The Dunkirk bits are very well done, as well as being interesting, and certainly add a bit to the story.

As has been said, however, some of the characters are very "typical" - the soldier saying "guv" all the time, for example!

I don't think it's a bad film, but it's no English Patient. It doesn't help that there was a lot of hype surrounding it - probably no-one at the film's fault, but you then have to live up to that hype, and more - just ask George Lucas.