By the Sea

About This Movie

By the Sea has this contemplative vibe, you know? Angelina Jolie directs and stars in this piece set in the mid-70s France. The film meanders through the life of Vanessa, a former dancer, and her husband Roland, an American writer. Their relationship feels strained, and the pacing really allows you to soak in their emotional distance. The seaside town they find themselves in is almost a character itself, with its vibrant locals contrasting their own struggles. The performances are nuanced—Jolie is particularly haunting. It’s visually lush, capturing that era’s aesthetic beautifully. The atmosphere is heavy with longing and reflection, making it distinctive in how it portrays intimacy and alienation in relationships.

Directed by Angelina JolieSet against a beautiful French seaside backdropExplores themes of intimacy and alienation