Based on a novella by British writer Doris Lessing called The Grandmothers, this drama tells the shocking tale of two mothers dating the each others’ sons!
However, it is also set on some of the most beautiful, remote beaches in New South Wales, Australia, which makes it the perfect movie to dream yourself away to the clear-blue shores of "Down Under".
The Story
Scandal in Paradise!
Growing up together by the sea in New South Wales, Australia, Roz (Robin Wright) and Lil (Naomi Watts) have been lifelong friends. Later, both women each have a son who also grow up living close to each other.
When these sons are 18, Lil’s son Ian (Xavier Samuel) discovers that he is sexually attracted to Roz. So when he stays at her house one night, Ian seduces Roz. Rob’ son Tom (James Frecheville) sees his mum sneaking out of Ian’s room half-naked, does the math and furiously tells Lil what he saw. Hesitant at first, Lil and Tom eventually start an affair, too.
Scene from Adore. Photo: © 2013 – Exclusive Media
Both women know that what they are doing is not right. At the same time though, they can’t stop. So the affairs are going on for about two years before Tom meets a girl his own age and gets married. That's however, when the problems begin to spiral out of control…
The Location
Australia calling!
Most of the movie’s beautiful beach scenes have been shot at Shelly Beach and Seal Rocks in New South Wales, Australia.
Both places are a short car drive away from Sydney (Shelly Beach about 1h30min and Seal Rocks about 3 hours) and are almost untouched paradises for surfers which they only occasionally share with a few seals and dolphins.
Shelly Beach. Photo: By Maksym Kozlenko (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons
Adore uses beautiful photography, underlined with music that perfectly fits the “calm before the storm” atmosphere. Therefore, it’s definitely a great movie to watch when you like to dream yourself away to a remote beach from the comforts of your couch.
The final verdict:
Better than its reputation, this one delivers a skillfully captured scandal and beautiful scenery! Watch it and dream yourself away to the shores of stunning Australia!
**** 4 out of 5 stars
Over to you: Are you in love with Australia's beaches too or is your perfect paradise in a totally different part of the world? Tell me! I'm all ears!
Scene from Adore. Photo: © 2013 – Exclusive Media
Cristina
22nd January 2018 at 1:59 pmI love this movie, and I fell in love with the location 🙂 So now, one of my dreams is to visit New South Wales, Australia 🙂
Sonja
27th January 2018 at 12:03 pmHi Cristina! Same here. This film is a great inspiration to visit New South Wales and Australia in general! I have never been, but hopefully I can go either at the end of 2018 or in 2019. Let me know if you ever make a trip there! 😉
Audrey
22nd January 2018 at 9:58 pmI would love to go to the exact site where Adore’s main *home bases* were filmed. I would Adore to walk that gorgeous area. Any tips, pointers, etc.?
Thank you!
Best fan of Adore,
Audrey Telthoester
Sonja
27th January 2018 at 12:13 pmHi Audrey!
Unfortunately, I couldn't find out the exact homes that were used for filming anywhere on the internet (probably because people live there and they wouldn't want to be disturbed by film tourists ;-)). But my tip for you would be to rent an AirBnB in either of the two main filming locations Shelly Beach (about 1h30min car drive from Sydney) or Seal Rocks (about 3 hours drive from Sydney). There are many beautiful homes directly by the beach and I think that would come quite close to feeling part of the film!
M. Hanold
1st March 2020 at 3:31 pmI totally agree!! ♡♡ I "adore" this movie!!
Kathleen
15th May 2018 at 3:26 amI’ve watched this movie over and over I love it and want to be there!
Sonja
29th May 2018 at 5:26 pmYeah, it's a great travel-inspiring film! I'd like to go there too one day! 😉
Kep
28th April 2019 at 2:13 pmThis film is intoxicating! The beautiful scenery and remoteness of it all makes it very inticing to visit some day. It is on my bucket list for sure. It would be the ideallic place to fall in love…Wow!
(I'm a hopeless romantic, can ya tell)? Lol
Melinda H
1st March 2020 at 3:29 pmI am a huge fan of the movie Adore. I now want to go to Seal Rocks and Shelly Beach. These 2 places are on my bucket list now since this movie for sure!! Excellent storyline, excellent actors, and EXCELLENT scenery!! Thumbs way up !!!!! ♡♡ love me some Ian!!
Michael D.
14th June 2021 at 6:19 amThe Rotten Tomatoes, etc. says that the " trashy plot" is too "unbelievable." Really? Tell that to accomplished novelist,Doris Lessing. It's based on one of her works of fiction. Since when did film and fiction have to be believable. I agree with the writers here. The setting is celestial; it is paradise, I want to die at Seal Rocks, (smiling). The acting the of the four main characters is superb, and this is spectacular summer movie viewing.