And you thought your family was dysfunctional.

Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement follows the story of Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave play Briony at 13, 18 and in her old age, respectively). Briony, a fledgling playwright, finds that her longtime crush, her housekeeper’s son Robbie (James McAvoy), already has a romance brewing with her older sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley). Jealous and rash, Briony accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. The ill-fated man is sent to prison and is later cast into the army during World War II as a result.

Needless to say, years later, Briony is struck with guilt and attempts to atone for her accusation.

Atonement is a period romance piece, and though it rarely veers from the basic setup of the typical romance film, it adds a good deal of grace and wit. Starring the equally stunning Knightley and McAvoy as the two star-crossed lovers, Atonement screams Oscar at the top of its lungs from the opening through its final, tearful scenes, with its gorgeous cinematography, jaw-dropping costuming and its brilliantly adapted script.

Perhaps most impressive about Atonement is its young star, Ronan, who plays the 13-year-old Briony. Ronan manages not only to steal the screen from Knightley and McAvoy — not an easy task — but also to outshine the performances of seasoned actors Garai and Redgrave, who play her character at later stages in life. Ronan infuses Briony with a charm and an intelligence that can be observed in every step the young girl takes.

While it has a less-than-cheerful title, Atonement is not just a story of guilt — the movie incorporates the tale of a profound and enduring romance that transcends the boundaries of distance, war and time. And the movie brings the award-winning book to the big screen with witty dialogue, humor and a good dose of acting talent.

Don’t miss the chance to see this moving and beautifully produced film. Although it’s more of a “girls-night-out” type of movie, I wouldn’t rule it out for those who claim Scarface as their favorite film. The movie is a story of change over time and the tragic effects that a deep-seeded guilt can have.