By the Sea

When Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt got married, they spent their honeymoon making this humorless vanity project, fully aware that Brangelina publicity would guarantee its eventual release. Set in the 1970s, the story begins as blond-mustached Roland Bertrand (Pitt) and his vain wife Vanessa (billed as Jolie Pitt) are driving through the French countryside in a vintage Citroën convertible. After arriving at a picturesque seaside resort, they unload a stack of Louis Vuitton luggage, filled with her diaphanous couture clothes, indicating a lengthy stay. Roland is planning to work on a novel as they try to resolve some traumatic marital issues. He boozes and she gulps pills, so there's not much progress—until they become voyeurs, spying through a peephole on honeymooners (Melanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud) in a neighboring suite, and vicariously sharing their sexual encounters. Trying for a triple play as writer, director, and star, Jolie Pitt flounders here, after adroitly directing the Louis Zamperini bio-pic Unbroken (2014). Tepid and pretentious, By the Sea is a film that sinks in slow-paced self-indulgence. Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (12 min.), a “making-of” featurette (10 min.), the costar segment “Gena Rowlands: An Inspiration” (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus digital and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a cinematic misfire.] (S. Granger)