Isn't the point about the Dunkirk sequence that it's a kind of lurid fever dream, hence its 'surreal', Felliniesque qualities? Remember Robbie is already ill by this point. As for the clipped accents, you can hate them all you like, but that's how upper-middle-class people spoke in the 1930s. I thought Keira Knightley, in particular, did a great job with her accent – she made it absolutely her own. Films as good as this are once-in-a-decade occurrences. All this carping about it being 'pretentious' and 'boring' is soul-sappingly depressing.

John O'Connell, London,

I've just returned home from seeing this film and have been stunned by the glowing reviews it's received on the Internet, both from critics and viewers! A friend had previously told me it had left her completely unmoved and she hated the clipped, pre-war Brit film accents adopted by KK and JM in their love scenes. Even if she hadn't said that, I would have wondered about those accents myself; check out the cafe scene just before Robbie goes off to war to hear them at their worst. Did the director tell them to talk in funny voices as an homage to "Brief Encounter" or were they just hamming it up? Yes, the film made me cry buckets - but only because I'd read the book and knew about Robbie and Cecilia's early deaths - but having one's emotions wrung shouldn't be the test of what makes a great film and in my opinion "Atonement" fails the ultimate test of "would I want to see this film again and again". The answer to which is "never, if I can help it".

L.J. Brown, London ,

just returned from seeing this so called oscar contender but i have to say we all thought it was one of the worst hyped films ever !boring ,boring ,boring, we nearly lost the will to live .would not recommend this tripe to anyone!

paul lewis, darlington, durham

I am surprised that you found the Dunkirk sequence so moving. I though it terribly self conscious and unengaging. It shows the Dunkirk beaches in a somwhat surreal way - complete with working Ferris wheel, hymn singing, French film show etc. which jarred with the essentially realistic portrayal of other episodes and which did not seem to serve any useful purpose.

carlos iradier, London,

I saw this film at a prescreening & days later images of it are still with me. It is stunningly cinematographic; details of the 1930's era beautifully portrayed by both sets and actors. Cecillia's face is a canvas on which every emotion is visible. Having not read the book, I adhere to other's remarks about the intepretation Joe Wright has put on the screen. During its playing, the tension was clearly felt until the scene where Robbie is stranded in the French countryside with 2 army compatriots desparately searching for their unit when one of them rattles on in an outburst of cockney parody which brought spontaneous loud roars of laughter from us all, momentarily breaking the tension. Mr Wright, a courageous and talented director,has once again drawn out a fabulous performance from Keira Knightley & a very credible one from James McAvoy. Indeed, all the actors are excellent in every part they play. Its not an easy film, McEwan doesn't do easy, buts its a great one & its British!

Mobson, London, England