‘By the Sea’ is Much More Than a Vanity Project

GameStop, Inc.

by-the-sea-000001

I know exactly what you’re thinking. Frankly, I was thinking something similar. Oh, a film produced and starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (billed as Angelina Jolie Pitt), written and directed by Jolie and set along the French coast. Talk about a vanity project, right? Wrong. By the Sea isn’t a vanity project. This isn’t a piece of generic awards bait hoping to cash in the simple premise of beautiful people sharing the screen with a beautiful locale. By the Sea is film that attempts something more challenging for audiences, and it mostly succeeds. One thing By the Sea most definitely isn’t – a crowd pleaser. This is a film that’s opening scenes feel like a mix of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Jean Luc Goddard’s Contempt, but lacks the wherewithal to take that harsh mixture to its proper conclusion.

Set in the ‘70s, Roland (Pitt) and Vanessa (Jolie) are in a rut with their personal lives and their professional lives. Roland, a writer, has taken them to France for him to work on his latest book. Vanessa, a former dancer, is cold and distant, rarely speaking. They each have their vices – she’s constantly popping pills and he is prone to heavy drinking, spending many days and nights at a local café run by Michel (Niels Arestrup), an older widower. But their malaise is broken when newlyweds François (Melvil Poupaud) and Lea (Mélanie Laurent) start to occupy the room next door. Matters are made all the more interesting when Vanessa finds a hole in the wall with which to observe her neighbors. At first this is just a solo affair, but Roland, too, joins in the voyeurism. The thrills that revitalize their romance may very well open old wounds and threaten to wreck their fragile marriage.

By the Sea will bore many people to tears with its slow pacing, but I respect that Angelina Jolie attempts something farther from the norm. Had the story continued escalating further in the film’s final act, I’d be able to say that as a writer and director she achieved something special. Instead, she opts for a rather rote conclusion that doesn’t truly satisfy the solid two hours of methodically paced domestic drama. As a director, Jolie has constructed an artfully crafted movie that looks wonderful with stylistic flourishes sprinkled throughout, including a few jump cuts reminiscent of films from the French New Wave. I honestly enjoyed much of the ride, but still have a hard time even mildly suggesting that this would be a film that’s widely accessible.

In front of the camera, Jolie embodies a near recreation of Anna Karina, another icon of the French New Wave, with her eyelash extensions and heavy layers of eyeshadow. She gives a strong performance as the enigmatic Vanessa. At first, she give Vanessa a cold veener, bordering between catatonic and psychopathic. As soon as the couple begin peering on their neighbors, there’s a strong chemistry between her and her husband Pitt, who brings his typical swagger to his sadsack drunkard. Suddenly, Jolie’s sedated visage comes alive and gives By the Sea its best moments, when the film feels almost dangerous in its brazenly audacious methodical pacing and escalating sexuality. Alas, though, these moments fade as the conclusion draws near.

Sadly, By the Sea completely fumbles its final act, slowly winding down without pushing itself further. It seemingly settles at the end when it needed that extra layer to make it all really worth it. But By the Sea is by no means a disaster or debacle. Angelina Jolie hits most of the targets she’s aiming for, only losing her aim when it matters most. This isn’t a work of simple tawdry romance, and I have much respect for Jolie for crafting this lengthy homage to the French New Wave. That, however, won’t translate to a large audience. I still think it’s incredibly cool that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, two of the most photographed people in the world, have produced a bizarre little love story about voyeurism in the modern studio system. It may not be a perfect movie, but By the Sea exists for many more reason than vanity.’

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse pt 253;sectionG

Well I think they're tacky as hell!

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...