Some of the best romantic films do not have happy endings or fairytale romances. Movies like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, La La Land, and Casablanca show that sometimes the best stories come from relationships that almost work out.
Even with strong feelings, things just do not go as planned. It might be the wrong time or place, or maybe fate gets in the way. Sometimes, the problems are inside the people involved. They might not be right for each other or not ready for a relationship at that time. In the end, they have to move on when the moment is lost.
The film On Chesil Beach, made in 2017, shows this kind of relationship. The movie is based on a bestselling book by Ian McEwan and directed by Dominic Cook. It stars Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle as Florence and Edward, two young lovers who just got married.
They are on their honeymoon at Chesil Beach, which is on the south coast of England. Everyone expects them to consummate their marriage in their nice seaside hotel. Edward’s family loves Florence, but Florence’s family just tolerates Edward. They come from different social classes and have difficult family lives, but they made it to their wedding day.
However, things feel awkward the moment they enter their hotel room. Their strong romantic connection falls apart when they reach the wedding bed. It quickly becomes clear that Florence does not want to have sex.
The audience sees this relationship through their eyes as they think about their past.
Edward is a working-class man who takes care of his sick mother. He has struggled with his temper and has been in fights before.
Edward wants attention and care, but he hides his anger because he feels he should stay strong. This leads to problems in his relationship with Florence.
Florence’s journey is different and not often shown in stories. She does not feel comfortable with intimacy while in a relationship.
There are many reasons someone might not want to be intimate. For some, it may be because of how they feel or because they need a strong connection first.
In Florence’s case, her discomfort comes from deep, unspoken trauma. It is the 1960s, and while society pressures her to stay pure, she is expected to suddenly be intimate with her husband after marriage
. She tries to read books and talk to others, but discussing sex before marriage was seen as wrong back then. Even today, the topic of asexuality is not widely talked about.
Florence does not have the words to explain her feelings, but she faces these challenges with Edward. She tries to avoid the subject, but when they talk about sex, her anxiety rises.
She even considers asking Edward to see other women to satisfy his needs. Though she loves Edward deeply, she worries she may never be enough for him. This is something many people who identify as asexual experience—wanting a partner who understands their feelings.
What makes On Chesil Beach special is how it shows sex in a realistic way. We often see funny or awkward sex scenes in movies, but this film presents a deeply uncomfortable experience. Edward and Florence are both young and inexperienced.
They fumble with their clothes, and Florence keeps stopping, while Edward feels frustrated and insecure. The scenes are drawn out and silent, creating an intense and uncomfortable experience for viewers. Eventually, everything falls apart, leaving the couple confused, frustrated, and defeated.
This movie highlights that many people say the first time is often the worst, even though movies usually show sex as a beautiful expression of love.
In reality, sex can be awkward, vulnerable, and uncomfortable. The pressure Edward and Florence feel does not help their situation.
They realize their marriage is not meeting the expectations set by society and their families. When Florence runs to the beach, neither of them can talk about the problem.
Edward cannot control his temper, and Florence cannot share her trauma. In one painful conversation, their marriage ends.
In On Chesil Beach, Edward and Florence never see each other again. Life goes on, and Florence eventually marries someone else and has a daughter.
We do not learn how that situation works out for her. The final part of the film focuses on Edward, who lives with his regret about that night with Florence.
Both of them think about the conversation that ended their marriage and wonder if anything could have saved it.
They were happy enough together, even with their issues, but they did not understand how their relationship could fail until they were emotionally and literally exposed. This vulnerability in intimacy makes On Chesil Beach a heartbreaking story.
On Chesil Beach presents a powerful narrative about love and the complexities of intimacy. The film challenges traditional romantic ideals by showing that not all relationships follow a straightforward path.
Edward and Florence’s journey reveals how deep-rooted issues can affect a couple’s ability to connect. Their struggles with communication and intimacy highlight the importance of understanding one another’s needs in a relationship.
Florence’s asexuality and trauma make it difficult for her to engage in physical intimacy, which Edward does not fully grasp.
This lack of understanding leads to a breakdown in their relationship, showing that love alone is not enough to overcome significant barriers. The film encourages viewers to reflect on the importance of open dialogue and emotional support in relationships.
It emphasizes that intimacy is not just about physical connection but also about emotional understanding.
Ultimately, On Chesil Beach reminds us that love can be complicated and that sometimes, despite strong feelings, two people may not be meant to be together.
The film serves as a poignant reminder that acknowledging and addressing personal struggles is vital for a successful partnership.
Both Edward and Florence learn valuable lessons about themselves and the nature of love as they navigate their separate paths.
