In the film, Briony at seventy-seven is publishing her final novel before she dies from “vascular dementia.” Briony publishing this novel is her attempt at atonement for her actions when she was thirteen. Briony speaks of how “[her] sister and Robbie never had the time together they both so longed for and deserved, which, ever since [she] always felt [she] prevented.” Briony fictionalizes the happiness of Robbie and Cecilia at the end of her book in order to finally admit to her actions after not being able to for so many years. In admitting her mistakes, she allowed herself to reconcile with the truth before she died. Briony also spoke of how her rewriting the ending to her book “wasn’t weakness or evasion, but a final act of kindness.” After taking control over Robbie’s freedom, or lack there of, and being a prisoner to her guilt throughout her entire life, Briony was ultimately able to accept her choices, though she may not have been able to forgive herself. Her final atonement will allow her to die in peace.
Throughout Atonement Joe Wright shows that in order for an individual to take responsibility for themselves, they must first acknowledge the consequences that resulted from taking control over anothers life. If they do not, it will result in internal guilt and confilct. Wright does this through the portrayal of Briony through three stages of her life, and the evolution