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On Chesil Beach

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for On Chesil Beach R 2018 1h 50m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 169 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In 1962, newlyweds Edward and Florence, both in their early 20s and also both virgins, spend their honeymoon preoccupied and terrified by the upcoming consummation of their marriage.
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On Chesil Beach

On Chesil Beach

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Critics Consensus

On Chesil Beach presents a well-acted and solidly crafted adaptation of a small yet resonant story with deceptively rich subtext.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 03/10/2020
Once McEwan fully exposes the couple's compromised relationship there are some strong scenes of them surveying the wreckage together. Go to Full Review
Mark Kermode Kermode & Mayo's Film Review 08/28/2018
I really did believe in the central couple and their alienation. Go to Full Review
Robert Daniels 812filmreviews 08/27/2018
2/4
Unfortunately, by the final act of the film we've lost any empathy for these two. And there's little rationale as to why they should matter to anyone else. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 03/10/2024
C+
Underwhelming romantic drama. Go to Full Review
Merryn Johns Curve 05/20/2022
Ronan is stunning as Florence. Simultaneously fierce and delicate, she is the embodiment of a young woman who navigates the traps of heterosexuality -- without a feminist slogan or women’s group in sight. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 06/07/2021
2.5/4
It's a movie that stumbles out of the gate. But after a fumbling first act, the story deepens alongside the narrative conflicts. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Alan K @RT23703917 08/10/2024 My problem with this is how unlikeable the Edward character is. I'm sure he can't be that repellent in the book. I couldn't identify with him in any way and pretty much all I thought is, you have dodged a bullet there love. See more Ron R @RT76285883 06/20/2024 What a delicious sexual complex foray into the consciousness of a neurotic English couple who just can't get it together. Such tragic moments are delicious and revealing. I loved this. And felt the devastating consequences. Excellent pre fem drama. I kept wanting them to overcome their Drama but unfortunately. Not. So sad. But revealing See more Chris M @RT21954632 05/16/2024 The year is 1962, newlywed couple Edward and Florence talk during their wedding night. To tell get to know each other. I don’t about England, but getting to know each other normally happens long before getting married. Being set in 1962 has no barring on the story whatsoever. Like the title, it’s never called Chesil Beach, so it’s a pointless as the rest of the movie. The good news is that they the film makers use a series of flashbacks instead of just the two leads talking. Some of the stories they tell have both of them in it, I was half expecting one to say, “I know, I was there.” I would call this melodrama, but considering these two are a stereotypical Brit that they don’t even raise their voices. SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU DON'T WANT THE ENDING SPOILED THEN STOP READING NOW: For some reason we flash forward several years where I guess Edward and Florence are divorced for reasons. Seriously, why did they get married in the first place. At the most was a one night stand. There was no chemistry. It’s like “Marriage Story” just without passion or actual acting. Overall, it’s one giant snooze with people who talk in monotone words and have less emotions than your average Vulcan. Don’t put it on unless you need to get to sleep fast. See more KB B @Okbullard 12/30/2023 It was pretty engaging but quite a different romance movie. The ending was so sad. See more steve d @RT35616104 12/09/2022 It is not a story I thought would be interesting but thanks to the artful care in both script and performance it really worked. See more isla s @RT89656869 09/03/2022 I thought this film was quite good, in terms of it being somewhat atmospheric, with some nice landscape shots of the titular pebble beach, with mist around and in some nice interior settings. Its a somewhat thoughtful watch, with a good performance by Saoirse Ronan. I particularly enjoyed the instrumental/classical music pieces played during the film, often live performances. Its a good period drama, mainly set in the 1960s but also the early 1970s. Its not an outstanding watch or anything and it is perhaps a little moody and pessimistic in tone for some but its by no means a bad film and so I'd recommend it on that basis. See more Read all reviews
On Chesil Beach

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1962, newlyweds Edward and Florence, both in their early 20s and also both virgins, spend their honeymoon preoccupied and terrified by the upcoming consummation of their marriage.
Director
Dominic Cooke
Producer
Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley
Screenwriter
Ian McEwan
Distributor
Bleecker Street Media
Production Co
Number 9 Films, BBC Films
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content and Nudity)
Genre
Romance, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 18, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 7, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$741.6K
Runtime
1h 50m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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