Favourite Films: 10. Atonement (2007)

I have a confession to make.

I decided to watch Atonement based on the sole fact that James McAvoy was in it, and nothing more. Honestly, I didn't really want to watch it. I'd heard it was boring. Well, bear in mind I'd been told it was boring from a 13 year old - and lots of things are boring to 13 year olds, so I can't say it was the most trusted opinion in the world. But in and around my 18th birthday I became very infatuated with a Mr. James McAvoy, and I decided that I wanted to watch his entire filmography. So, of course, I started with the masterpieces - Gnomeo and Juliet, Arthur Christmas, Penelope - and then I stumbled across Atonement. And I fell in love.

I love Atonement for a lot of reasons - not just for James McAvoy's involvement, although, let's be honest, he is really quite spectacular in this film - as are all the other actors. I love Keira Knightley. I think she's fantastic at what she does. Saoirse Ronan is also great in this film. The thing about Saoirse and James is that they are just so, so good at accents. That's a skill I really admire in a person, because I am just the worst person in the universe at accents. Romola Garai is also worth a mention. Frankly, Atonement is one of those "acting movies", where every role is so brilliant and well written - and so well casted - that every single actor involved is just showered with critical acclaim. 

Atonement is beautifully shot. I personally put a lot of emphasis on cinematography - and Atonement is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. I mean, can we just talk about this scene right here?

(Brace yourselves)

(Clearly, I can't make gifs)

This scene is just so spectacular. Look at James. The way he spins around her, encircling her - it's so playful. It makes the scene so much more interesting. And the light in this scene - and the flowers - and everything, oh my God.

I can't talk about the cinematography or Atonement without mention that one take steadicam Dunkirk beach scene. It's insane. Thousands of extras, so much stuff going on, so much pain and horror - and it's basically the most impressive cinematography in the entire film. 

This film is just full of so many beautiful shots. It's a visually stunning film - and, like I said, that's very important to me. As proof, here are some of the most beautiful shots you will see in any film:

Next up, music. Atonement got the soundtrack Oscar, and rightly so. This film does such a fantastic job of playing ordinary things up - like the scene with Robbie and Cecelia, when he just spins around her as they walk - and with the music, too. The opening scene. The tap of the typewriter. It's melodic. It's tense. It's beautiful. It's suspenseful. The music is a big contributor to this film, without a doubt. It has one beautiful score - one that I don't listen to enough, now that I think about it. 

And just the story. The narrative. We have Ian McEwan to thank for writing the original story - but Joe Wright really, really pulls it off in his film. I'm not going to spoil anything, but it is a truly beautiful, fascinating story. 

Atonement is a fantastic film. It's a film a lot of people won't like, and I know that. It's not action packed, and it's not exactly a conventional love story, but it is so, so beautiful. And I love it for that. 

Now that I've written about it so much, I feel so bad putting it down at the bottom of my "top ten". Writing about it has reminded me of my love for it. But, looking at my list, I really can't move anything. Number ten is a great place to stand, anyways. Atonement, you should be proud.

You will like this movie if: 

1. You like Joe Wright / Keira Knightley combos such as Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina. 

2. You cried while watching The Notebook.

3. You just love to stare at James McAvoy's face.

Because, who doesn't?