On Chesil Beach

2017
R
1h 50m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

13K

YOUR RATING

Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle in On Chesil Beach (2017)

In England, 1962, a young couple finds their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.

Play trailer1:50

15 Videos

99+ Photos

Drama Music Romance

In 1962 England, a young couple find their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.In 1962 England, a young couple find their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.In 1962 England, a young couple find their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

13K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos15

Trailer 1:50

Official Trailer

Trailer 2:26

International Trailer

Trailer 2:26

International Trailer

Trailer 2:26

On Chesil Beach - International Trailer

Clip 1:08

On Chesil Beach: Chuck Berry

Clip 1:05

On Chesil Beach: Nightingale

Clip 1:01

On Chesil Beach: I've Asked Him For Tea

Photos366

+ 360

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Executive Producer, Author, and Screenwriter Ian McEwan stated to an audience back in 2014 that he wanted Saoirse Ronan to play Florence Ponting.

Goofs
In the tennis match between Edward and Florence's father (Geoffrey), they're either counting the games wrong or not alternating service properly. Edward begins serving at the start of the third set, so he should be serving when the game score is even. We immediately jump forward to a later game in which Geoffrey is serving. Geoffrey loses the game (for a change), and Edward announces the score as 1-4 before serving, which means he is now serving when the game score is odd.

It's also slightly off that Geoffrey starts serving the first set, and then Geoffrey begins serving the third set after 12 games. This, however, could simply be the result of Geoffrey letting Edward begin serving the third set, out-of-order and out of strict compliance with the rules, as a sop after beating him 6-0, 6-0 in the first two sets.

Quotes
Florence Ponting: [during foreplay] Say something. No, say something stupid like you used to.
Edward Mayhew: Miss Ponting, you have a clavicle and a philtrum that all men wish to play on, and a vibrato that all men adore, but you're entirely mine, and I'm so very glad and proud.
Florence Ponting: In that case, you may kiss my vibrato.

Connections
Features A Taste of Honey (1961)

User reviews113

Review

Featured review

7/10

On Chesil Beach (2018)

I love Saoirse Ronan so much, just like everyone else in the universe should. She's a supremely talented actress and I knew I had to see this film as soon as I could. On Chesil Beach is a film made by a first time director in Dominic Cooke. The film also reunites Billy Howle and Ronan, after starring in The Seagull (which came out a week ago as it is). So Saoirse Ronan month continues and On Chesil Beach was definitely enjoyable. The film is a little different than I expected but is a satisfying experience.

The film is about two young people who get married and are anxious about consummating for the very first time. It turns out having sexual intercourse has really big implications on their present relationship and what their future holds for them as well. The film utilizes flashbacks within present time and then flashes to the future so that we can see the two leads in different times of their life and how their lives coincide at each step.

Saoirse Ronan is typically fantastic in this. She's such a talent in everything she's in and her raw emotion and hesitation in committing to a physical relationship is portrayed with a delicate confidence. The film is sharply written, although it falters a few steps of the way. Its a different type of story focused on a physical experience that usually doesn't matter to this extent in other films. The film's last twenty minutes are really well done and bring the picture together. We've all kind of been there with the first time so its easy to relate and know the nervousness involved by both parties.

The cinematography is fantastic, especially when it comes to life on the extended scene at the beach. Costumes design and set design are also up to par. The film presents itself with grace and poise. The film will make a name out of Billy Howle and Dominic Cooke. Cooke seems like an experienced filmmaker and he can only grow from here. I will obviously continue to follow Saoirse's films like a lost puppy in the hopes that she is finally rewarded with an Academy Award.

7/10