Legal Lessons From The Movie Atonement—What If It Were a Civil Case?

The year is 1935 and it is a sweltering summer eve when Cecilia Tallis, played by Keira Knightly, and Robbie Turner, played by James McAvoy, begin a torrid affair in the library of Cecilia’s parent’s British countryside estate in this year’s Best Picture nominee, Atonement (GE). But their courtship is cut short when Robbie is falsely accused of a crime—rape—and the repercussions of his wrongful conviction are felt for the rest of their lives. 

False evidence prevented Robbie from clearing his name in Atonement, and he went to prison, but what if instead of being accused for rape he were falsely accused of something in a civil suit? In real life many defendants in civil lawsuits choose not to go to trial, despite their innocence. “Settlements never feel good, but going to trial is expensive,” says attorney Wayne Chiurazzi, who does construction claim defense in Pittsburgh, PA. “Leading up [to trial] is expensive, whether it’s discovery or depositions, in addition to all the court appearances before the trial even starts.” 

According to the U.S. Justice Department, about 97% of cases are settled or dismissed without trial. “The uncertainty of the courtroom, coupled with expense, drives settlements,” says Russell Winslow, a litigation attorney based in San Diego, CA. That uncertainty prompts many defendants to settle, even if they feel they aren’t liable. “For example, if the case is over $50,000 of alleged damages, a client may not want to spend $100,000 to clear his name if he can settle for $25,000,” says Winslow.