The film is adapted from the eponymous debut novel published in 1980 by British postmodernist writer Julian Barnes (born January 19, 1946), which is widely recognized as 'Metroland.' The title Metroland has a double meaning, referring to both the London underground and the suburbs, and it differs from the well-known original novel 'Suburban London' in that it aims to reflect the change in consciousness among suburban residents caused by the continuous expansion of the London underground into the suburbs during the 1970s. Chris (played by Christian Bale) sees a shift in his quiet suburban town when his friend Toni (played by Lee Ross), who disappeared for ten years, suddenly reappears. Influenced and tempted by Toni, Chris is drawn into a world of sex, drugs, and rock music, which disrupts his carefree life and impacts his marriage. Although Chris cannot forget the passionate moments he shared with Parisian beauty Annick (played by Élodie Bouchez), he begins to doubt his own values, lifestyle, and relationship with his wife Marion (played by Emily Watson). In the end, Chris must choose between living irresponsibly to continue enjoying pleasure or facing the harsh reality and returning to his wife Marion...
