By the Sea (2015)
By the Sea (2015)
Directed by: Angelina Jolie
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent
Genre: Drama / Romance
Runtime: 122 minutes
Overview
Set in France during the 1970s, By the Sea follows Vanessa (Angelina Jolie) and her husband Roland (Brad Pitt), a couple whose marriage is fractured by grief, infidelity, and unspoken tensions. They retreat to a quiet seaside resort hoping for healing, but the isolation only amplifies their emotional struggles.
As they interact with other guests and confront their pasts, the film explores love, loss, and the complexities of long-term relationships. The slow, intimate storytelling emphasizes mood, character psychology, and emotional nuance over plot-driven action.
Highlights
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt deliver raw, vulnerable performances, portraying a troubled marriage with quiet intensity.
Beautiful, melancholic cinematography captures the French coast and the subdued emotional landscape.
The film’s pacing allows for deep character exploration and intimate, often painful moments of reflection.
Themes of grief, love, and reconciliation are treated with subtlety and visual storytelling.
Mélanie Laurent adds depth as a supporting character influencing the couple’s journey.
VerdictBy the Sea is a slow-burning, atmospheric drama — meditative and emotionally heavy. While it may feel too languid or introspective for some, it rewards viewers who appreciate nuanced character studies, evocative settings, and quiet, intense performances.
Rating: 7/10
