BY THE SEA (2015) ** Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Melanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup, Richard Bohringer. Vanity piece written, produced and directed by Jolie with her co-star and real-life husband Pitt (who co-produced) as a '70s era handsome couple on the rocks vacationing in picturesque titular locale in France attempting to deal with their relationship (he with alcohol in trying to get back at begin a writer; she lounging around in anomie and angst) thru voyeurism (espying on newlyweds Laurent and Poupaud). While the impeccable cinematography by Christian Berger is the true star in its beauty it is eclipsed by Jolie's ethereal, brooding presence that manages to make the threadbare plot strung along past its endurance point (say the first hour).
Review of By the Sea
