On Chesil Beach★★★½

When young love ends in despair.

On Chesil Beach, is a film based on a novel by Ian McEwan. It is a dramatic story about two lovers encountering sexuality and their unpreparedness for what is to come.

Despite their deep connection and love for each other, the lovers seem under the duress of conservativeness, repression and troubled childhood. At first, the narrative does it’s best to avoid the real underlying issues and hidden strains between the couple. Moreso, they tried their best to slip it under the rug but not realising that by doing so, they made it more significant than it has to be.

Films like this are rare and when accurately done becomes very memorable. The director has done an excellent job of making sure we see the picture as clear as possible, that we get to realise how simple things can be. Although when we are in the same situation, we become too ingrained in our individual feelings. One more thing to mention where the lead characters played by Saoirse Ronan as Florence was impeccable. Billy Howle as Edward was engaging in his role as a tired young man with ambitions but torn between his responsibilities as the eldest son.

The film is about the change in times, how ten years will change people in so many ways. From a time where women have to act a certain way and think that sensuality is something not to be enjoyed by women as well as men. Thus, women before were not comfortable talking about it even with their husbands. With inaction towards this vital matter creates a break in communication and eventually lead towards unhappiness. A tragedy easily avoided if only self-expression was encouraged back then.