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BBC Film
Not part of a collection.
A different time. A different love.
In 1962 England, a young couple finds their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.
wizzardss
Feb 17, 2021 · via TMDB
While the 1960s were seen as a period of sexual revolution, it is easy to forget that - like today - not everyone follows the same path. _On Chesil Beach_ follows two virgins, Florence (Saoirse Ronan) and Edward (Billy Howle), as they try to consummate their marriage on their wedding night. Interspersed with flashbacks of how the couple met and their relationship developed, it becomes clear that Florence and Edward have very different reactions to the experience. As a deep dive into sexuality, especially asexuality, _On Chesil Beach_ is a fascinating piece of work. It is likely to be much more reflective of the 1960s than media that portrays an era of hippies, drugs and promiscuity. This remains a generation recovering from the effects of war and still very much under the influence of their parents' reservations. Unfortunately, in some ways, the film is also held back by those same reservations. Florence is shown as both extremely innocent and naïve, but with a hunger and desire to achieve her professional goals, while Edward is more of the free-spirit and happy to appease his wife, but with occasional signs of a wicked temper. The film gets caught up with backstory, trying to hammer those points home, to the detriment of exploring the present day. It is with great credit that the two leads are able to convey a sense of humanity. Saoirse Ronan, especially, is able to escape the ponderous nature of her character's personality to deliver a performance that is brutally honest and relatable, while Billy Howle is able to add enough empathy to avoid the obvious trap of being portrayed as the villain in what is otherwise a tragic story. Despite occasionally bordering on tedium as a form of entertainment, _On Chesil Beach_ is essential sexual education viewing.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Saoirse Ronan
Florence Ponting
Billy Howle
Edward Mayhew
Anne-Marie Duff
Marjorie Mayhew
Adrian Scarborough
Lionel Mayhew
Emily Watson
Violet Ponting
Samuel West
Geoffrey Ponting
Andy Burse
Waiter One
Rasmus Hardiker
Waiter Two
Bebe Cave
Ruth Ponting
John Ramm
Postman Terry
Imogen Daines
Jenny
Victoria Hamnett
Elsbeth
Martin Bassindale
Harold Mather
Daniel Boyd
Jack
Oliver Johnstone
Ted
Tony Lucken
Man in Soho
Christopher Rob Bowen
Cricket Captain
Anton Lesser
Reverend Woollett
Tamara Lawrance
Molly
Bronte Carmichael
Young Chloe Morrell
Jonjo O'Neill
Phil
Claudia Jolly
Jane
Nadia Townsend
Older Chloe
Ty Hurley
Wigmore Concert Attendee
Claire Ashton
Recital Visitor
Caroline Garnell
Audience Member Wigmore Hall Concert
David Cradduck
Train Driver
Suzie Davies
Production Design
Charlotte Dirickx
Set Decoration
Sean Bobbitt
Director of Photography
Keith Madden
Costume Design
Alex Conti-Lewis
Costume Standby
Susie Lewis
Costume Supervisor
Tony Lucken
Stunt Coordinator
Cydney Uffindell-Phillips
Crowd Assistant Director
Dominic Cooke
Director
Tom Poole
Colorist
Nick Fenton
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Nina Gold
Casting
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Executive Producer
Peter Hampden
Executive Producer
Zygi Kamasa
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2007
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
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1987 · 14 wins
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2008 · 14 wins
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1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
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1981 · 11 wins
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