By the Sea

Set in the 1970s, a vacationing American couple, writer Roland and his wife Vanessa, travel along the coast of France. As they spend their time in a seaside town, their relationship is put to the test by unspoken grief and past trauma. They encounter a pair of newlyweds and other locals, which inadvertently forces them to confront their own marital issues.

By the Sea received largely negative reviews from critics, who found the film slow, ponderous, and self-indulgent. While some acknowledged the performances, the overall sentiment was that the film failed to engage or offer significant emotional depth, with many criticizing its bleak tone and lack of clear narrative progression.

• Critics found the film to be slow-paced and lacking in narrative momentum.

• The performances were occasionally noted, but often overshadowed by the bleak and self-indulgent tone.

• Many reviewers felt the film was a personal exercise that failed to connect with audiences.

Google audience: Google users were divided, with some appreciating the artistic ambition and performances, while a significant portion found the film to be too slow, depressing, and unrelatable, lacking a compelling story or emotional payoff.

Angelina Jolie wrote the screenplay for "By the Sea" in 2001, intending it to be a reflection on her relationship with her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer around that time. She waited over a decade to direct and star in it with Brad Pitt, feeling the time was right to explore these themes.