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I should probably start by pointing out that I am not a fan of Keira Knightley. I'm not jealous of her masculine jaw and her boyish waiflike figure. Nor do I envy her vast sums of money and advertising deals. To put it simply, I find she is perhaps one of the most wooden and awkward actresses to find success in Hollywood. The majority of this opinion is based on the 20 minutes or so of Bend it Like Beckham which I attempted to watch but soon had to turn off as I feared Knightly would give me Knightmares if I endured any more. So when I heard the luscious James McAvoy co-starred with Knightley in the film Atonement, I was in a bit of a quandary. To watch or not to watch, that was the question. But of course I succumbed and I was pleasantly surprised.

Atonement is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Ian McEwan which I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read. The story is complex and quite difficult to summarise but the film focuses on three central characters, Briony Tallis, her sister Cecilia (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). On a hot and lusty day in 1935, we are introduced to the central characters when Briony is 13 years old. Briony's extraordinary ability to weave short stories and plays is apparent from the outset but it is this same untamed imagination that will later lead to Robbie's downfall as he is accused and prosecuted for a crime he didn't commit. The film takes us on a lengthy and emotional journey, chronicling the romance between Cecilia and Robbie and Briony's untimely attempts to atone for her childish misdemeanour. Unfortunately, it's difficult to detail the complexities of the plot without including an excessive number of spoilers but the film is intelligently made, effortlessly shifting between perspectives and time periods.

Atonement combines a stunning and effective musical score, excellent characterization, an intriguing plot and a complex narrative to create a film that is truly mesmerizing. If the thought of James McAvoy in the bath isn't enough to tempt you to view, then there are plenty more elements that make this a must watch film, including the use of my favourite swear word as a pivotal element of the plot.

The visuals of the film are sumptuous and luscious with the love affair that finally comes to fruition in the heat of summer starkly contrasted with the cold shadowy interior of a country mansion where the lies on which the plot is based begin to unravel. It is a powerful and emotive story that requires solid performances

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