Glamorous married couple in the 1970s--he a writer who can't write, she a retired dancer--vacation at a French hotel overlooking the Mediterranean; he spends most of his time drinking at the local bar while she stretches out on the balcony with a book. 30 minutes goes by without much happening, while the viewer is asked to feast on the lush locale (the film was shot in Malta) and the endless movie star close-ups (which aren't so lush, as neither Brad Pitt nor Angelina Jolie Pitt, who also wrote and directed, look attractive here; she appears gaunt, and they both seem worn out). The couple, bored and prone to bickering, seem to be in a sexual rut, which is temporarily given a reprieve by the discovery of a small hole in the bedroom wall, perfect for peeping on the sexy newlyweds staying next door. Jolie Pitt may have overestimated she and real-life husband Brad Pitt's combined appeal, as their presence in these luxurious surroundings curiously fails to generate any interest, much less sparks. The voyeurism subplot promises drama that never really emerges, mainly due to the one-dimensional screenplay and flat handling. Alas, "By the Sea" sinks. *1/2 from ****
Review of By the Sea
