By the Sea 2015
"When we die on the inside, the outside is left wandering dangerously by the sea."
Angelina Jolie directs this intimate 2015 drama that unfolds along the windswept coast of 1970s France, where two fractured souls navigate love and loss.
Director: Angelina Jolie
Cast
Angelina Jolie
Vanessa
Brad Pitt
Roland
Mélanie Laurent
Lea
Melvil Poupaud
François
Niels Arestrup
Michel
Richard Bohringer
Patrice
Sarah Naudi
Clarisse
Marika Green
Dress Shop Saleswoman
Aldo Buontempo
Fisherman
George Camilleri
Georges the Waiter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is By the Sea (2015) about?
This 2015 drama follows Vanessa and Roland, a couple whose marriage has lost its spark, as they travel through France in the 1970s. Their emotional drift becomes the focus when they settle in a quiet coastal town, where they confront their past and the uncertain future of their relationship.
Who directed By the Sea?
Angelina Jolie directed By the Sea, bringing her unique perspective to this deeply personal story about love and loneliness.
Who stars in By the Sea?
The film stars Angelina Jolie as Vanessa, Brad Pitt as Roland, with Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, and Niels Arestrup rounding out the cast in supporting roles.
Is By the Sea (2015) worth watching?
By the Sea is a contemplative drama that rewards those seeking nuanced storytelling and strong performances. While not a crowd-pleaser, its emotional depth and atmospheric setting make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven films. The runtime of 122 minutes allows ample space for its slow-burn narrative to resonate.
How long is By the Sea?
By the Sea has a runtime of 122 minutes (2 hours and 2 minutes).
🎥 Trailer
About By the Sea (2015) — Angelina Jolie's haunting marriage drama set on the French coast
Angelina Jolie directs this intimate 2015 drama that unfolds along the windswept coast of 1970s France, where two fractured souls navigate love and loss. Vanessa, a once-vibrant dancer now adrift in marriage, and Roland, her disillusioned American writer husband, retreat to a sleepy seaside village only to find their emotional distance mirrored in the crashing waves outside. As they wander the shoreline and haunt the local café, they encounter colorful locals—a warm-hearted innkeeper and a worldly bar owner—whose own lives seem similarly suspended between longing and resignation. Jolie crafts a slow-burning meditation on marital decay, self-discovery, and the quiet desperation of unspoken bonds.
By the Sea (2015) lingers on themes of isolation and renewal, anchored by performances that feel raw yet restrained. The film's melancholic beauty lies in its refusal to rush; instead, it immerses viewers in the rhythm of a marriage unraveling, set against a backdrop of golden sunsets and endless horizons. With its deliberate pacing and emotionally charged narrative, this drama invites reflection on the spaces between people—and within ourselves.
