Atonement

Ever since I saw Atonement, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out if I have ever seen a sadder movie. I haven't. This movie is not only sad, it is tragic. Schindler's List at least had some redeeming moments. The Shawshank Redemption had many redeeming moments. I thought with a title like "Atonement" that this would be a movie with a happy ending. It does have a happy ending, sort of, but a tragic happy ending. I can't say more without ruining the movie, but just be prepared. Fortify your emotions. Eat some breakfast of champions. Go with someone you can grip hands with. Go with someone you can hug afterwards. You'll be too sad to cry, because you'll know the movie is real life, and it can't be changed. Or can it?

The previews mention a lying child. There is a reason one of the 10 Commandments says "Thou shalt not bear false witness." There is little that is more sinister. You might be mad at the end of the movie. I guarantee you will be sad. You will be stricken. I can't say it enough. But it is an excellent movie. Sad. Tragic. Excellent.