At the end of Atonement I was left thinking about Robbie dying from sepitecemia on his own at Dunkirk, of Cecilia meeting her death in the watery underground, and of the many lives and relationships that have been ruined in this way by war. I was glad for a film that showed us the experience of war from a different perspective.

I saw all the other themes of class,of girls at different stages in their sexual development, of the power of imagination and of course, atonement. I saw a film that had so many great qualities in so many 'film categories'.

To me Atonment, regardless of all its themes and nuances, is a refreshingly different tragic love story with a resounding resonance. It made me think about what might have been......

Lindsay, Devon, England

I can only assume that the people praising Atonement must have seen a different film from the disappointing, sloppy adaptation I sat through, with ever-increasing dismay. This is one of my favourite books and was looking forward to seeing how such a fascinating play on self-conscious narrative would be adapted into film - especially after all the hype. I thought the film was so awful; and completely betrayed the genius of the novel - in the play on narrative - in favour of the plot line, which was not the focus of the book in any way. The book should have been left alone, I can't remember the last time I was so let down and deflated after finishing watching a film.

Coco, London,

I know we are talking about personal opinions here and I don't think it matters than I am a professional screnwriter in Madrid, Spain, where I saw the film last weekend.

Well for me it is the best movie of 2007: no doubt about it. Almost everything in it is a masterpiece in its own genre: the story, the screenplay, direction, acting, art direction, soundtrack... Incredible: it is difficult to put so much talent together and I believe Mr Wright is the one to thank for it. Every little detail has been taken care of and, altogether, I can say I came out of the cinema feeling I saw an almost perfect movie (and because of my job I see and read hundreds of films every year).

Martin, Madrid, Spain

Didn't really understand where the reviewer was coming from, this really was a very well made film, the shots were exceptional, and well thought through, a real pleasure to watch, you could really understand the effort that had been put into each scene and how quite a difficult book had been adapted to the screen so well. Come on, give it an extra star, you know you want to..

Dave Ashton, Deal, KENT

i think the film was fabulous, it made me smile cry and laugh and i thorughly enjoyed it. The artistic innovative approach to the film being in three parts is what makes me enthusiastic about this prudent director

bobsuruncle, the shire, england

Atonenment is Ian McEwan's masterpiece (to date) and the film comes close to doing it justice. The whole point is that bits of it are melodramatic; just as we see key events in the opening section first through Briony's eyes, then as they really happened, the whole of the war sequence is also as she imagined it in her attempt to atone for her semi-intentional misreading of events earlier. This romaticisation of the truth contrast with her undoubted plainness, and is largely explained by it: unlike her sister, and the appalling Lola, who almost deserves to marry the man who actually assaulted her, she isn't prepossessing and has to compensate through her imnaginative life. Unlike some other viewers I found the ending very moving and, like the book, it raises profound questions about the value of the imagination and the nature of fiction. Can the truth of the imagination actually be stronger than the truth of what really happened? It's a question at least as old as Shakepseare.

David Dunford, Nottingham, UK

I thought that this film worked well as an interpretation of a complex novel. The sombre, drab colours in the Dunkirk beach scene with the ferris wheel still turning evoke a powerful and completely unromatic picture of a terrible moment in history, contrasting with the lush and lazy summer day in which the film begins.

Whilst the book uses its author as narrator and also the charcter of Briony as narrator, as well as entering the streams of consciousness of several charcters, the film has to rely completely upon the skills of its actors to tell the story. I felt that the cast interpreted credible characters that were very appropriate to McEwan's book and the period in which it's set.

One of the best films I've seen in recent years, my one criticism is with the boring ending where an elderly Briony is shown about to give a television interview. It might have been more interesting to have used a final scene from the book.

Denise, Cumbria,

I think the film was clever, in that it imitated the style in which the book is written - we can detect, with hindsight, that the Dunkirk scene is 'overblown' precisely because it has been scripted by Briony, who was not actually there, and who is trying to romanticise Robbie's experience. Several other scenes which do not seem to ring true (such as Briony's visit to her sister to offer an apology) are intended to seem false, because they never happened but were invented by Briony in an attempt to rearrange the past and erase the consequences of her lies.

Ellie, London,

I have just wasted two hours and £3.75 watching the dreadful Atonement. Everything about this film is BAD ; the inept script, the terrible acting, the music - my god the music - the appalling sets. When it was nearly over into my mind came The Lives of Others - a true masterpiece - and how I longed to see that film again instead of this laughably melodramatic piece of rubbish.The penultimate scene with Vanessa Redgrave is possibly the worst of all. The vile Brioni ( an ugly child who becomes an even uglier adult ) doesn't even atone for her sin !

John Hope Hitchin

John Hope, Little Wymondley, UK

The review's main criticisms seem to be directed towards the plot and substance of the novel rather than at the film itself which seems a shame. Christopher clearly finds McEwan's book less than satisfactory and this taints his opinions - perhaps to have been given a fighting chance of a decent review, it ought to have been written by a more open-minded critic.

I, on the other hand, am a fan of McEwan's writing, but have been disappointed with previous film adaptations of his books, finding them only weakly related to hisoriginal intentions. Consequently, Atonement exceeded all expectations, and I felt that the film's real strength was it's remarkably faithful adherence to the minor details that make McEwan's book so impressive.

I went into the cinema a sceptic and emerged a convert: I cannot recommend this film highly enough to McEwan purists.

Hannah, Nottingham,

This film is a terrific watch- and I thought it deserved 1 more star at least. Yes, it may not be fast paced after we leave the mansion section, but what it lacks in pace it makes up for in atmosphere. what really impressed me was the music- this film has an absolute belter of a score. I espescially liked the use of the rhythmic, accelerating typewriter clicks near the beginning and the blending of the legato string texture and the roughly-sung hymn during the Dunkirk scene. I think I might well go out and buy the CD.

Tim Martin, Manchester,

I felt the film did an amazingly faithful job. Many would argue that the war scenes in Mc Ewan's novel are its Achilles heal and feel manufactured so the virtuoso Felliniesque Dunkirk exercise was a thoroughly justified variation. I wish there had been more time taken over the critical moments in the first section: the scene at the fountain, the hunt for the boys, the interrogation of Briony were not thoroughly realised in cinematic terms so anyone not familiar with the novel might be non-plussed. It was a pity we heard nothing of the publisher's rejection of Briony's first draft; perhaps the novel's singly most accomplished passage but perhaps it is essentially verbal. But the managing of the final section was masterful and imaginative, even an improvement on McEwan's device.

Jeff Wood , Cambridge, UK

Terrible review; fantastic film; brilliant book. Film adaptations often disappoint, especially when based on stories containing such subtlety of emotion, anger, hatred, love, etc. Ian McEwan is a master of unspoken intimacy, much of which is very difficult to put to screen. So although I wasn’t expecting a lot from this film I came away from the cinema feeling very impressed, and even wanting to read the book again. Joe Wright & Co have done a fantastic job, the lead acting was completely convincing, particularly McAvoy and Garai. In any case the film doesn’t need any of my support, its quality speak for itself. I’m only commenting at all because the review above is so bad!

Paul, London, UK

I totally agree with the review. I went to see the film expecting to love it, and came away feeling deflated. After an engaging and promising start, there came some dreadfully tedious war scenes, the like of which we have seen many times before, and the whole thing degenerated into second rate melodrama. I was cringing at Vanessa Redgrave's scenes, as they were so unbelievable. As far as I'm concerned, there was nothing remotely profound about this movie.

Jan Kumar, Croydon, UK

Having seen the film today I am perplexed at the 3 out of 5 star rating, yet this is nothing new for film critics.
I believe the film to be a masterpiece, given the age of the director along with the accomplished main acting performances. James MacAvoy goes from strength to strength whilst Knightley made me forget that she'd ever been anywhere near a pirate!
The 7 minute uncut Dunkirk scene is a cinematic jawdropper and will go down in modern film history. It is probably nearer the unpalatable truth about the stranded BEF than we would dare imagine.
Joe Wright is being touted as the latest genius of the British film industry and deservedly so.
In short the sets and locations are stunning, the acting beyond reproach and the story gripping, poignant and tragic.
It deserves to clean up at any awards ceremony.

Phil, North Wales,

Having not seen the film, it is interesting that the reviewer had the same problem with it that I had with the book: after a gripping first section, it simply tails off into yet another exposition on the horrors of war, which is not original enough to be merited in its own right, whatever its relationship is supposed to be to the rest of the story. My feeling is that the film probably suffers as much from this problem which existed before it was ever made as much as it does from its own faults. I am the only person who thinks that McEwan cannot structure a novel convincingly?

N Wilkins, New York,

What a disappointing review, not in terms of the message but in terms of the messenger. It was offhanded and smacked of spitefulness with a clear refusal of the suspension of disbelief that any artwork requires, but especially one that deals so exactlingly with the creative process. The brilliance of this film's particular conceit is its visualization of the complicated, tightly inverwoven co-existence of reality and imagination. McAvoy and Regrave gave performances of intricate emotional force and tender humanity, far from the flatness you suggest.

jane, boston, usa

I do not agree fully with the comments in the review and feel the film is worthy of 'more stars'. The film really did the book justice and the parts are well played by all the actors, particularly Knightly and McAvoy who were excellent in their roles. Only some of the minor character roles were not developed as extensively as the book, which is to be expected. The contrasting scenes between for example the beauty and richness of the pre-war British country house and the grim and desolation of the War in France helped reiterate all that Robbie was trying to win back. Rather than being overblown, the Ferris wheel at Dunkirk, for example, helped contribute to the feel of poignancy and an era lost.

In addition, the ending, though slightly different to the book was another powerful contrast and a very moving ending to a wonderful film.

Mary Ann, Leeds,

As is all too usual among critics, this one has nothing to say about the visual impact of the artistry of the cinematography and the entirely satisfying, sensitive music and sound. This is a must-see and must-hear movie. I shall never forget the Dunkirk scenes.

P.A Francis, London,

I agree with Jack - the film was superb not just technically impressive but emotionally very powerful. I left with the images lingering and rather exhausted but it was good to have been so involved. This review jars with views of friends who have already seen the premiere.

Lynne, London,

Another boring British film ! don't we have enough stories to tell? do we need another period?

tara, london,

I think this review often makes no sense. Surely if something was 'technically impressive' it would avoid being 'overblown'.

I thought it was an excellent scene, I think the problem this reviewer has with the film is the change of tone through the film. But I think that this adds to the shock and is the exact dramatic changes the characters themselves are seeing in their lives at the time.

Jack, Stockport,