Atonement, based on Ian McEwan’snovel deals with a single mistake and a small lie which changes thelives of the people involved forever. Nominated in 7 categories, thisis a film with a vintage air to it. The film follows the structure ofthe novel and enhances it with a multi- perspective narrative.
Theperformances by the actors are stellar. Yet, despite the portrayal oflove, lust, jealousy, lie, revenge and even war in a big canvas, itremains just a good film that fails to break into the "classic"category. The background music is notable with the predominant use oftypewriter clacking at the most tense junctures.
The typewriter, anintegral component of the film- the turning point in the story is atypewritten letter; the protagonist Briony is an author- is thus woveninto the music too. Not surprisingly, the only Oscar the film won wasfor Original Score.