ATONEMENT is a powerful human drama about the often elusive nature of forgiveness. Boyd Holbrook delivers one of the best performances of his career, revealing a level of vulnerability and emotional torment rarely seen from him before. Hiam Abbass brings a quiet strength to her character’s unimaginable grief and pain, while Kenneth Branagh is a reassured, tender presence as the reporter who brokers the meeting between them. Sometimes there is nothing that can be said or done to erase the weight of one’s actions, but perhaps there are steps that can be taken toward absolution. Not to move on, but to carry on as best we can. But who grants that absolution? The loved ones left behind? God? Yourself? Reed Van Dyk seems to suggest the answer may be all three, and even then, it still may not be enough. Complicated material handled with great delicacy.
