On Chesil Beach

Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: May 18, 2018

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

TVJerryJun 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 ofIf 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

All this user's reviews

JLuis_001Jul 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 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

All this user's reviews

amheretojudgeJul 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 ofa 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

All this user's reviews

CityOfGeekDec 9, 2018

It’s a shame when the third act of a film nearly sinks a film after two solid acts. Sadly, this is the case for the Ian McEwen adaptation of his 2014 novel. Newly married couple Edward (Billy Howe) and Florence (Saoirse Ronan) are on theirIt’s a shame when the third act of a film nearly sinks a film after two solid acts. Sadly, this is the case for the Ian McEwen adaptation of his 2014 novel. Newly married couple Edward (Billy Howe) and Florence (Saoirse Ronan) are on their honeymoon when they come across a problem they haven’t had to deal with before in their chaste upper/middle class 1962 England: they aren’t ready for sex. Leading up to the explosion of emotion and turning point of the film at the titular location, we see two narratives: the disastrous attempts at the act, and the courtship of the two charming leads. As the newlyweds, both Howe and Ronan shine; especially Ronan, now eleven years after breaking out with the last McEwan adaptation ATONEMENT, who can say so much with the slightest look. Their courtship is by most points standard, it’s wonderful to watch them come together and fall in love, and they sell the awkward interactions of two people truly alone for the first time who know what they need and want to do but unsure of how to proceed best. So what’s the issue? The aforementioned issue coming to head, the argument and revelations on Chesil Beach doesn’t fit. At this point, it betrays the characters growths and actions of the preceding acts; coming from nowhere. They feel like totally different characters. While it’s supposed to be, how both react is just eye-rolling absurd. It also functions as the climax of the film, leading to the after-effects third act to feel like a very long coda instead of continuing the story. All the steam is gone; causing a disjointed narrative. This could work very well in a novel format (I’ve not read this so don’t quote me if it does in the actual work), but doesn’t translate to the way stories unfold on screen.

I really wanted to like On Chesil Beach, and for a little over half the run-time, I did. Ronan does make it worth the journey, even if the last portion is weak.

C+… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

Bizzylorenzo70Aug 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

All this user's reviews

amirhassanOct 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

All this user's reviews

Mauro_LanariAug 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(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

All this user's reviews

DawdlingPoetNov 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 goodI 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

All this user's reviews