“On Chesil Beach” is the new British film based on the critically acclaimed novella by Ian McEwan. The British film is directed by Dominic Cooke and based on a screenplay written by Ian McEwen. It stars Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emma Watson and Samuel West. The story of young love between two a man and woman from different classes is never consummated because of their difficult backgrounds. The story of “On Chesil Beach” asks the question: “Can the entire course of your life change by doing nothing”.
Here’s what we know about “On Chesil Beach” so far.
Based on a critically acclaimed novel
“On Chesil Beach” is based on the 2007 novella by Ian McEwen. McEwen also wrote the screenplay for the film, the first time he has written a screenplay for his own material. “On Chesil Beach” tells the story of young newlyweds, Edward and Florence. The two spend their wedding night at a hotel in Dorset on “Chesil Beach” in July 1962. Pre-sexual revolution, the couple from different classes are anxious about spending their first night together as man and wife.
Edward is from a laid back country family who suffered a terrible tragedy when his highly intelligent mother was hit in the head and suffered brain damage. Edward is a graduate student in history. Florence is from a family who feels Edward is below her in status. Florence is an aspiring violinist. As the couple share a private meal, Edward is eager for the consummation of their marriage while Florence is afraid. She may have been sexually assaulted by her father. When the time comes, Edward prematurely ejaculates causing an argument between the two. Florence ends up walking away from the marriage and Edward doesn’t stop her. After the marriage is annulled, the two decide not to see each other. Edward goes on to have a lackluster career managing stores while Florence is successful in a string quartet. Edward has a brief marriage to another woman but never loses his feelings for Florence. Later in his life he contemplates what could have been if he had done something to stop Florence from walking away. He imagines they could have gone on to have a happy and healthy marriage and Florence would have encouraged him in his career.
Controversy behind the novel
Although the novella “On Chisel Beach” was well received, it came with some controversy. The 2007 book was nominated for the Booker Novel Prize. However, the book is just 166 pages and didn’t qualify to win. It was allowed into a different category but did not win. After the release of the book McEwan told a BBC radio station that he had taken a few pebbles from Chisel Beach and kept them on his desk as inspiration as he wrote the novella. Conservationists were in an uproar and McEwan was fined £ 2,000. McEwan didn’t know it was criminal to remove the pebbles and promptly returned them to the beach.
The Film
“On Chesil Beach” was first set to film in 2014. It was to star Carey Mulligan and was to be directed by Sam Mendes. Ironically, Saoirse Ronan who had a role in McEwan’s “Atonement” longed to play the role of Florence in “On Chesil Beach” but she was too young. The making of the film did not progress until 2017. Saoirse got the role of Florence and McEwan was happy with the choice. Billy Howle, whom Saoirse Ronan had acted with before, plays Edward Mayhew. Emma Watson plays Florence’s mother and Samuel West plays her father. The film is directed by Dominic Cooke. This is his debut film.
The film has received good reviews. The director does a good job bringing the novella to life on film. As Florence and Edward prepare for their wedding night, they flashback to their childhood and how they met. It is clear why Florence is anxious to consummate the marriage and why Edward is eager to do so. Following the annulment, Edward spends time contemplating what his life could have been with Florence. Although he still loves her, he refuses to see her. The theme of the film, as with the novel, is the influence of coming from different classes pre sexual revolution, and by doing nothing one can change the entire course of his or her life. Edward regrets letting Florence walk away the night of their honeymoon. Had he just tried, the couple could have enjoyed a happy and successful marriage.
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