Universal Pictures announced today that “By The Sea,” Angelina Jolie’s directorial follow-up to “Unbroken,” will arrive on the Oscar-friendly date of November 13.
Written, directed and produced by Jolie (apparently, she’s formally using the surname "Jolie Pitt"), the romantic drama stars the filmmaker, her husband Brad Pitt and Mélanie Laurent, Niels Arestrup, Melvil Poupaud and Richard Bohringer. The official synopsis is below; the film is said to be influenced by European cinema and theater of the ’60s and ’70s.
By the Sea follows an American writer named Roland (Pitt) and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt), who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis. As they spend time with fellow travelers, including young newlyweds Lea (Laurent) and François (Poupaud), and village locals Michel (Arestrup) and Patrice (Bohringer), the couple begins to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives.
“This is a story about a relationship derailed by loss, the tenacity of love, and the path to recovery and acceptance,” Jolie said in a statement. “It has been a privilege to explore these universal human experiences with such a generous and talented cast and crew.”
Is this an Oscar contender? Possibly, but if it’s as introspective, ponderous and delicate as European films of the ‘60s and ‘70s, one wonder if it will leave modern-day audiences scratching their heads. Three films are in wide release that weekend, Warner Bros.’ Chilean miner drama "The 33," Paramount‘s horror "Rings" and Open Film Road‘s "Rock The Kasbah." The smart money is one of these studios pulling out unless Universal goes for a rare limited release opening. A new photo from the film is below.