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Poster for By the Sea

By the Sea

Seen it?

2015 | 122 min | Drama, Romance

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office loss and middling reviews (35% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved Leaving Las Vegas or Dangerous Liaisons, start here.
The mood
Emotional (bring tissues), warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

Set in France during the mid-1970s, Vanessa, a former dancer, and her husband Roland, an American writer, travel the country together. They seem to be growing apart, but when they linger in one quiet, seaside town they begin to draw close to some of its more vibrant inhabitants, such as a local bar/café-keeper and a hotel owner.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    35% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    5.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $4 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; interest faded quickly after launch

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 69K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Angelina Jolie

  • Angelina JolieVanessa
  • Brad PittRoland
  • Mélanie LaurentLea
  • Melvil PoupaudFrançois
  • Niels ArestrupMichel
  • Richard BohringerPatrice
  • Sarah NaudiClarisse
  • Marika GreenDress Shop Saleswoman
  • Aldo BuontempoFisherman
  • George CamilleriGeorges the Waiter