Redemption

I just watched these two movies:

1. Atonement
2. Magnolia

and they reminded me of:
3. Crash

The thing that threaded them together for me, is that there are characters in each:

...whose sin/infraction is repulsive
...whose character is further revealed, and it gives understanding about them and how they may have come to do the terrible thing
...who are given (or seek out - in A.) an opportunity to redeem the act. And they take it.

Now I know that true redemption is only possible through the finished work of Jesus on the cross...
but this kind of repentance is so beautiful.