In the premiere trailer for The Sense of an Ending, reclusive retiree Tony (Jim Broadbent) answers the door to a smiling courier. After signing for the package, the courier cheerfully says, "Have a nice..." as Tony coldly closes the door. Tony opens the envelope to find a letter written by Sarah (Emily Mortimer), a woman from his past. As he reads the letter and images of his youth with Sarah flash by, he learns that she has left him something in her will.
That something is a diary, but it's now in the hands of Sarah's daughter Veronica, who happens to be Tony's former university flame. As time continues to split between now and then, Tony seeks out Veronica in order to recover the diary. "Hello, Anthony," Veronica (Charlotte Rampling) says with a knowing smile as Tony wistfully recalls their whirlwind romance. This unexpected reunion, as well as the many secrets uncovered from the diary, soon force Tony to re-evaluate his past and mend his present relationship with his daughter (Michelle Dockery).
