Atonement

4/4 stars

To put it simply, Atonement is one of the greatest film adaptations of a novel that I've ever seen, and the source is one of my favorite books. The unique storytelling techniques of the novel are translated brilliantly to the screen, and in combination with a near-perfect cast (every character was almost exactly as I would imagine them) result in an incredibly moving dramatic experience. The acting, cinematography and the pacing are all dead on (don't underestimate this last point, it's essential in adaptation that things seem to take about the right amount of time), and the film also includes the most impressive tracking sequence that I can remember. Very likely the best film of 2007.

Written January 31, 2008.