Two strangers become dangerously close after witnessing a deadly accident. On a beautiful cloudless day a young couple celebrate their reunion with a picnic. Joe has planned a postcard-perfect afternoon in the English countryside with his partner, Claire. But as Joe and Claire prepare to open a bottle of champagne, their idyll comes to an abrupt end. A hot air balloon drifts into the field, obviously in trouble. The pilot catches his leg in the anchor rope, while the only passenger, a boy, is too scared to jump down. Joe and three other men rush to secure the basket. But fate has other ideas...
Acting
Rhys Ifans turns awkward persistence into genuine menace.
Direction
Michell stretches dread like taffy from first frame.
Writing
Ian McEwan adaptation that mistrusts easy answers.
Director
Roger Michell
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The opening balloon sequence took six weeks to shoot and used no CGI—real stunt performers at 3,000 feet.
McEwan's novel gives Jed's perspective; the film's refusal to verify his 'messages' makes the ambiguity more sinister.
GB
