Deborah Ross

This will end badly

But it's surefooted mostly and always watchable and Saoirse Ronan is a wonder

issue 19 May 2018

On Chesil Beach is an adaptation of the Ian McEwen novella set in 1962 when ‘conversation about sexual difficulties was plainly impossible’ and a young couple suffer a disastrous wedding night from which there will be no return. This is surefooted, mostly, and literary and tasteful and sad and English, and it also stars the ever-remarkable Saoirse Ronan.

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