Film Preview: By the Sea (2015)

Page Revisions:

(August 9, 2015) Original
(November 1, 2015) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#2)

Release Date:

November 13, 2015

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “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.”

Poster Rating: A / C+

Review: (#1) This is how you perfect subtlety in design. It presents the setting, establishes character and suggests an emptiness and separation of a couple. Whether it resonates with potential audiences or not is immaterial when you have something so amazingly rich and complex, yet simple.

(#2) The design reminds me of films from the French New Wave. It’s interesting, but won’t be as effective as desired when trying to sell the film to a curious audience.

Trailer Rating: B+ / B

Review: (#1) There’s minimal dialogue, but that style is used to effectively accentuate the brooding emotional turmoil between the film’s once-loving couple. There are rifts of dramatic energy between the two and the trailer nearly perfectly encapsulates that. The end seems a bit rushed and the trailer isn’t likely to draw people to the cinemas, but it’s daring nonetheless.

(#2) The second trailer does what the second poster does, reminds the viewer of the French New Wave era of filmmaking. That doesn’t mean the film will exist in that mold, but it does provide more interesting potential for the film.

Oscar Prospects:

Angelina Jolie-Pitt has now had two Oscar contenders that have ultimately fizzled with Oscar voters. However, this very personal glimpse into a crumbling relationship starring one of Hollywood’s most prominent couples could be so richly painted that the Academy will finally give her a look. Of course, with two misfires, I’m not sure she’ll be able to manage much this time around.