film - Atonement

Atonement 3.5/5

This film is being billed as a big romance. I would describe it as being a rather unconventional romance, and for daring to go against the grain, I am rating it a tad higher. It does not take the easy way out to tell it's story and some will see that as a bonus or as a weakness.

Romance films are usually about two people. This one has a third, a clever 11 year-old who is smitten with Robbie, a teenage boy, one of the hired help at her parent's country mansion. He, fortunately, is smitten with the sister of this adolescent, who is also a teen. The 11 year-old can't stand this relationship and soon an opportunity presents itself to cause trouble...

Beware that the film ends up being more of a confessional than a romance...which may make feel romantic or not, depending on your point of view.