On Chesil Beach

Dominic Cooke : 2017

In July 1962, Edward Mayhew, a graduate student of history, and Florence Ponting, a violinist of a string quartet, have just been married and are spending their honeymoon in a small hotel on the Dorset seashore, at Chesil Beach. The two are very much in love despite being from drastically different backgrounds. During the course of an evening, both reflect upon their upbringing and the prospect of their futures. Edward is sexually motivated and, though intelligent, has a taste for rash behaviour. Florence is bound by the social code of another era and, perhaps having been sexually abused by her father, is terrified of sexual intimacy. Florence tries to mentally prepare herself for the inevitable consummation, but the thought of it continues to repulse her. The story unfolds with great tenderness to show how, unbeknownst to them both, the decisions they make that summer will resonate throughout their lives. Dominic Cooke's feature premiered in Special Presentations at Toronto International Film Festival 2017, and had its UK premiere at London Film Festival 2017.