Dove.org
Faith and Family-Focused Reviews for Today’s Media
Browse by rating or type
Approved For
All Ages
12+
18+
Dove Reviewed
Category
All Reviews
Not Approved

Atonement

Shot on location in the U.K., the film's story spans several decades. In 1935, 13-year-old fledgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her family live a life of wealth and privilege in their enormous mansion. On the warmest day of the year, the country estate takes on an unsettling hothouse atmosphere, stoking Briony's vivid imagination. Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of the family's housekeeper, carries a torch for Briony's headstrong older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable feelings; all it will take is one spark for this relationship to combust. When it does, Briony - who has a crush on Robbie - is compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is arrested - and with Briony bearing false witness, the course of three lives is changed forever. Briony continues to seek forgiveness for her childhood misdeed. Through a terrible and courageous act of imagination, she finds the path to her uncertain atonement, and to an understanding of the power of enduring love.
17
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

The director of this film takes the viewer on a beautiful ride while telling a tragic and fascinating tale. This is a very high quality film which uses the cinematic experience to the fullest. Visually there are breathtakingly beautiful scenes. The score is brilliant, using music and the sound of a typewriter to define the pace of the film. “Atonement” was first a best-selling book and the literary undertones carry through to the screen. The author uses flashbacks in a unique way by showing the same scene from a different perspective.

While this film has some good moments, it is not a family film. The event that sets this tragedy in motion is a sexually charged relationship that is consummated and the rape of a young girl. These events are witnessed by a child and it defines her entire life causing her to seek atonement. In addition this takes place during World War II and the scenes of battle scarred soldiers are quite graphic. Please note the content issues below.

Due to excessive language, sex and violent situations, we cannot award this film our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Close-up of soldier's bloody chest wound; many dead children lying in field with bloody head wounds; three horses shot in head, implied they are used for food; soldiers in hospital with wounds shown very graphically including lots of blood, severed body parts, burns, scars etc.; a close-up of wounded soldier's exposed brain; woman seen floating dead underwater.

4
Sex

Kissing between man and woman; unmarried man and woman have sex fully clothed (witnessed by child); man rapes young girl.

4
Language

JC-1; Ch*ist-1; F-18; H-2; Slang for female genitalia-4; Slang for breasts-1; G/OMG-3; S-1; Bollocks-1.

4
Violence

Close-up of soldier's bloody chest wound; many dead children lying in field with bloody head wounds; three horses shot in head, implied they are used for food; soldiers in hospital with wounds shown very graphically including lots of blood, severed body parts, burns, scars etc.; a close-up of wounded soldier's exposed brain; woman seen floating dead underwater.

2
Drugs

Historically accurate smoking, but glamorized a bit; drinking of alcoholic beverages; soldiers drink wine with meal.

3
Nudity

Woman emerges from fountain wet with sheer clothing and no undergarments,see-through; partial rear female and male nudity; naked men run past camera.

0
Other

None

More Information

Film Information
Genre
Runtime
130
Rating
N/A
Reviewer
Julie Kemme
Actors
, , ,
Writers
,
Directors
Producers
Studios
Dove Content
See all