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that will alter the lives of Cecilia, Bryony and Robbie forever. -

Atonement is an incredibly beautiful film and one that moves at an urgent pace. From the very opening scene when Bryony is hurriedly finishing writing the play on her typewriter, the tap of the keys forms the beat of the music and it is sharp and urgent and the whole feel underlying is that of a frantic nature and of a foreboding. This is brilliantly done and throughout the film strange sounds such as these, are picked out and featured as a tempo and beat as part of the musical score. There is urgency running right through the heart of this film and it shown in fast movement, fast cuts and the cast always walking quickly accompanied by the haunting and hugely moving piano playing and the wonderful musical score.

There is strange use of flashbacks and flash forwards at odd times during the film though it is not hard to keep up, but it does throw you off balance a bit and this is probably what was intended. The film is striking, not only in its stunning use of cinematography, and this is some of the best I've ever seen without a doubt, but also in the amazing propping in this film. It captured the era perfectly. Every detail, every prop was beautifully chosen and the flow of the film was perfectly believable because wherever the eye was cast, every item was on keeping. There is so much to applaud within the film. The costumes and make-up, the casting, which was fantastic and where ever they found the two curly, red haired twin cousins was incredible. They looked like something out of Famous Five, so in keeping with the era.

Much like 'Sliding Doors' when you are given two scenarios of a given situation, then Atonement does similar and more. They will show a scene from one angle and viewpoint and then they show it from another person's perspective. This is incredibly powerful film making and I loved the use of this. The whole film worked amazingly well on every level. The story is superb, intricate and highly interesting, moving and very poignant. I never get emotional watching a film but with Atonement the sheer beauty of it all just swept me away and the heartbreaking realism on display did get to me I have to admit. The film showed the 'upstairs downstairs' aspect well and the class divide of rural England. As the film changes in time, the reconstruction and images of a war torn era and the spirit of Dunkirk were shown in dramatic and accurate form. There is nothing not to praise here. Every

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