On Chesil Beach

Name: On Chesil Beach
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: May 18, 2018
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Adrian Scarborough, Anne-Marie Duff, Anton Lesser, Bebe Cave, Bernardo Santos

2018

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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On Chesil Beach

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Movie Details & Credits

Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: May 18, 2018 | Not Rated

Starring: Adrian Scarborough, Anne-Marie Duff, Anton Lesser, Bebe Cave, Bernardo Santos, Billy Howle, Bronte Carmichael, Christopher Bowen, David Olawale Ayinde, Emily Watson, Jonjo O'Neill, Philip Labey, Rasmus Hardiker, Samuel West, Saoirse Ronan, Simon North

Summary: Adapted by Ian McEwan from his bestselling novel, the drama centers on a young couple of drastically different backgrounds in the summer of 1962. Following the pair through their idyllic courtship, the film explores sex and the societal pressure that can accompany physical intimacy, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.

Director: Dominic Cooke

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Owen Gleiberman

It’s a lyrical and rapturous film — a repressed passion play, funny, delicate and heartbreaking. Read full review

A.O. Scott

May 16, 2018

Onscreen, On Chesil Beach loses some intensity at the end, as the supple suggestiveness of Mr. McEwan’s prose is replaced by the stagy literalness of film. Perhaps this couldn’t be avoided. Read full review

Vikram Murthi

May 15, 2018

On Chesil Beach is a minor story by design, one that uses a lovers’ quarrel to interrogate evolving social values, but sometimes it’s the most minor stories that contain some of the most overlooked ideas. Read full review

Peter Travers

May 16, 2018

She's glorious, as she always is. But even Ronan can't totally cut through the academic stuffiness that comes with this posh literary adaptation. Read full review

Empire Liz Beardsworth

May 14, 2018

An opulent, well crafted and acted tale of emotional repression that captures the head more than the heart. Read full review

Richard Roeper

May 31, 2018

On more than one occasion, this looks and feels like a parody. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

May 18, 2018

The movie is fairly faithful to the book, and yet so much is lost in the transfer. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

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 enjoyedI 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Jun 12, 2018

If you've read the Ian McEwan novel (I haven't), you might have the patience to sit thru this film. It centers around a newlywed couple on their honeymoon, which goes from awkward to disastrous. There are also flashbacks to the progress of their love affair and other formative moments inIf you've read the Ian McEwan novel (I haven't), you might have the patience to sit thru this film. It centers around a newlywed couple on their honeymoon, which goes from awkward to disastrous. There are also flashbacks to the progress of their love affair and other formative moments in their past. Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle do a good job of making the couple interesting, but the first hour of the film moves at a slow pace that challenges patience. Once the final conflict occurs, the emotions are ramped up to provide a somewhat satisfying (if not predictable) finish.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Jul 28, 2018

I'm not sure about my interpretation of this film, especially because of the constant jumps the narrative gives that although it builds things correctly it takes time to find the right channel to be able to feel completely connected with the story.

Without a doubt it can be considered theI'm not sure about my interpretation of this film, especially because of the constant jumps the narrative gives that although it builds things correctly it takes time to find the right channel to be able to feel completely connected with the story.

Without a doubt it can be considered the type of film that is called Oscar Bait but frankly I doubt it will get more attention beyond Saoirse Ronan's performance, especially considering how unnoticed went by since its release.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Bizzylorenzo70

Aug 18, 2018

Ronan, as usual, captures the screen, and there are some powerful moments in the film. However, between the many extremely awkward even cringe inducing scenes and the often confusing flashbacks I can only give this one a fair rating.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Jul 26, 2018

a poignant take on a fragile concept..

On Chesil Beach 2 And A Half Out Of 5 On Chesil Beach is a character driven dramatic feature about the prude ideology and the repercussion that it breeds on a newly wed couple. Despite the effort of projecting the cringe-worthy moments witha poignant take on a fragile concept..

On Chesil Beach

2 And A Half Out Of 5

On Chesil Beach is a character driven dramatic feature about the prude ideology and the repercussion that it breeds on a newly wed couple. Despite the effort of projecting the cringe-worthy moments with conviction and accuracy, the distraction or the cover-up could have been a lot subtle for it to be inedible. Having said that, the agenda of the feature communicates through crystal clear medium which is the performance in here; kudos to the star cast. The primary reason that disenchants the viewers from the fragile bubble is often its non-sequitur background score which is more of a downer considering the music is an essential part of it (the violin played by Ronan is mesmerizing though). It is rich on technical aspects like its metaphorical cinematography, alluring costume design and stunning camera work that is pleasing to encounter. The writing is strong on terms of the awareness of each character's perspective which latter helps it create an appropriate arc to it. The adapted screenplay by Ian McEwan steals the show, since the editing is perfect and to-the-point that holds the audience on the edge of the seat throughout the course of it. Dominic Cooke; the director, has done a decent work but also seems a bit amateur on executing it since the different days that it was shot can easily be filtered. Cooke is also invested a lot on drawing out the emotions from the screen that works in its favor but also makes it a bit chalky around the edges. As mentioned earlier, the lead cast; Ronan and Howle, are excellent and holds on to their role tight and bright. Stunning visuals, stellar performances and three-dimensional characters are the high points of the feature. On Chesil Beach is basically a poignant take on a fragile concept that is effective and moving on every aspect of it but is surely isn't glorifying no matter what the makers might suggest.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amirhassan

Oct 1, 2018

you will watch it and will forget everything about it except saoirse ronan`s performance. it wants many things and it reachs non of them but you can`t deny a feeling through the film wich you will forget that soon either.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mauro_Lanari

Aug 12, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
Once wasn't it customary to liquidate similar things with a single word, oleographic? Even more concise than on Twitter. The debutant Cooke will have put his own, but it is clear that troubles originate already from the book and the script of McEwan. The film oozes(Mauro Lanari)
Once wasn't it customary to liquidate similar things with a single word, oleographic? Even more concise than on Twitter. The debutant Cooke will have put his own, but it is clear that troubles originate already from the book and the script of McEwan. The film oozes literariness and theatricality not transformed into cinematography, and the underlying theme, the Berlin Wall as well as the class and intersex ones, is tied to a historical period and is not extended to a more timeless context.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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