March 29, 2024

BY THE SEA cCourtney Howard // Film Critic

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I adore a taut marital drama. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE, AMERICAN BEAUTY, WAR OF THE ROSES— it’s all deliciously fantastic. BY THE SEA, written and directed by Angelina Jolie, looks like it’s gonna be one of these types of films. A mini-MR. AND MRS. SMITH reunion of sorts, what with real-life hubby Brad Pitt co-starring as her husband, this 70’s set, sun-drenched picture is gonna have tongues waggin’.

Take a look at the trailer below.

The film also stars A PROPHET‘s Niels Arestrup, LAURENCE ANYWAYS‘ Melvil Poupaud and Pitt’s INGLOURIOUS BASTARDS co-star Mélanie Laurent. Laurent is an amazing director in her own right and her two features BREATHE and THE ADOPTED (LES ADOPTES) are worth searching far and wide to see. Part of me thinks Jolie and Laurent bonded quickly over this and it makes my heart swell.

Also making my heart swell, THIS ennui cloaked in giant fabulous sunglasses:

BY THE SEA a


and THIS view, if you can look past Pitt:

BY THE SEA b
Need we say more?! Until this bows at the box office, I’ll be watching EYES WIDE SHUT over again so I can ready my comparative think piece.

BY THE SEA opens on November 13.

Leave a Reply