English summary

Language spoken: English | Subtitles: Dutch

“beautifully unfolding story about love, sex, and a fear of the unknown”

During the summer of 1962 the wedding takes place of the young couple Florence and Edward. In just over a year’s time straitlaced England will see the start of major social changes and the sexual revolution. Edward is a hot-headed young man with a healthy interest in sex, while Florence approaches intimacy with trepidation.

At Chesil Beach, on the evening after their wedding they dream of their future together, but one subject is fearfully avoided: their impending wedding night. The misunderstandings they cannot talk about and their secret fears will change their lives forever.

Initially, the mood of this beautifully unfolding story about love, sex and a fear of the unknown is one of relaxed calm but gradually the tension builds and the atmosphere becomes increasingly oppressive. Some major stars appear in the film, among them Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, The Grand Budapest Hotel) and Emily Watson (Breaking The Waves), and the acting of newcomer Billy Howle is superb. Based on the bestseller of the same name by Ian McEwan, who also wrote the screenplay.