There is nothing yesterday about Atonement as it blows the dust off the historical drama.

Written, directed, filmed and acted to perfection, Atonement sweeps you up on waves of humor, heartbreak and romance. The film moves from the country estate of a wealthy British family in 1935, through the World War II battlefields of Dunkirk, and to the end of the twentieth century, with a haunting end.

This erotic tale is not just a period piece. It deals with what's timeless about passion, art and redemption. Robbie Turner, portrayed with precision by James McAvoy, is the son of the family housekeeper. At first he can't find words to express his longing for Cecilia Tallis, the daughter of privilege who ignores him. Cecilia played by the Keira Knightley blends beauty and tension to stunning effect. Robbie's fixation is understandable.

Wright and Christopher Hamptons script is a model for a screen adaptation; they show great skill in building the carnal tension within the scenes, which make up the first third of Atonement, and transform the novel and McEwan's prose into images that burn in the memory.

The story is seen entirely through the character Briony’s eyes… played by Saoirse Ronan who is breath taking and is the film's glory. This is great Oscar worthy acting.

As Atonement shifts into the battlefield, McAvoy and Knightley deepen their performances. They are amazing acting partners, convincingly believing in the primacy of love. Wright speaks in fresh, startling ways to a new generation.

Wright brings Atonement back to words with the force of ideas behind them. Ending with an older Briony (Vanessa Redgrave) who is giving a TV interview about her latest novel, she is held in a close-up where she demonstrates what great acting is. She reflects on life's tendency to wound and art's propensity to heal; Begging us to ask can we find redemption through art?