By the Sea Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "By the Sea" on Blu-ray is of notable quality, enhancing the cinematic experience with its 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition transfer, framed in the original 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The digital shoot results in a clean and accurate picture, retaining impressive clarity and detail across various scenes. The striking details are evident in both close-ups and broader landscape shots, capturing the period's near-sepia tint without compromising image integrity. The vibrant colors, such as the bright blue sea, contrast elegantly with the film's prevailing beiges and browns, creating an alluring visual palette. Black levels are robust, with healthy flesh tones, and no overt digital defects or image problems are present, although minor aliasing is noticed around the 22-minute mark.

The carefully crafted visual presentation also highlights the meticulous production design. The rustic French countryside, detailed wooden textures of the bar, and the luxurious fabric textures in the hotel rooms all benefit from Universal's immaculate clarity. Natural light usage throughout the film accentuates the textures of linens and wardrobes, enhancing the immersive 1970s period setting, despite the absence of heavy grain typical of that era. Although the spectrum of primary colors isn't extensive, the rich browns and beiges dominate effectively, set against the backdrop of the magnificent blue sea. The black levels remain consistently deep and inky, and skin tones appear natural. Overall, this Blu-ray video presentation is expertly rendered, offering an aesthetically pleasing visual experience free from significant artifacts or distractions.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "By the Sea" features a competent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that succeeds in providing a clear and coherent listening experience, though it remains understated. The dialogue is distinctly rendered across the front and center channels, ensuring lifelike definition and excellent clarity. These spoken elements maintain prominence and are free from any distortions such as pops, cracks, or hissing. Ambient noises, including subtle environmental sounds like rolling waves and bustling bars, add depth but are generally restrained.

The soundtrack leans heavily towards front-channel activity with the surrounds used sparingly to enhance the atmospheric feel of the film. The score underscores the film's melancholic tonality and adds some material for the surrounds to engage, albeit in a very reserved manner. While the musical elements are clear and well-defined, they lack vigorous surround detail and dynamism. Consequently, the LFE channel sees minimal activity, adding only a warm, subtle bass presence.

Overall, this audio mix suits the film's intimate and dialogue-heavy nature. It is tailored to support the poignant drama without overwhelming the listener with unnecessary aural flourishes. This results in ample clarity and an immersive, albeit subdued, auditory experience ideal for the film's contemplative tempo.

The Blu-ray release of "By the Sea" comes with a selection of moderately insightful extras that contribute to understanding the film’s creative process and inspirations. The included featurettes offer valuable commentary from the cast and crew, particularly emphasizing Angelina Jolie Pitt's admiration for actress Gena Rowlands. The deleted scenes, while interesting, are largely superfluous to the main narrative. These extras capture behind-the-scenes dynamics and showcase the collaborative environment on set, offering fans a deeper dive into the making of this visually arresting drama.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gena Rowlands: An Inspiration: Angelina Jolie Pitt elaborates on the influence of Gena Rowlands on her career, featuring discussions about acting between Jolie Pitt, Brad Pitt, and the Rowlands.
• Making By The Sea: In-depth insights from cast and crew on character motivations, filming techniques, 70’s era styles, and working on set.
• Deleted Scenes: Seven scenes including pivotal moments with characters notably Roland in various contexts.

"By the Sea," directed by Angelina Jolie Pitt, portrays a couple, played by Jolie Pitt and real-life husband Brad Pitt, grappling with personal struggles amidst an idyllic yet indifferent French setting. The film delves deeply into themes of loss and grief but does so at a lethargic pace that significantly detracts from its impact. While the characters of Roland and Vanessa are infused with sincerity and complexity, their interactions fail to deliver the emotional resonance required to engage the audience fully. Jolie’s direction, despite incorporating striking visual elements and careful attention to period details, often resorts to cliches and overly drawn-out sequences that test viewers’ patience rather than reward it.

Visually, "By the Sea" is exceptional, capturing a timeless 1970s aesthetic with remarkable precision. The cinematography effectively contrasts the stark beauty of the scenery with the underlying turmoil of the characters' deteriorating relationship. Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Roland, attempting to mask his emotional paralysis with alcohol, stands out as a committed performance that adds some depth to an otherwise stagnant narrative. Meanwhile, Jolie's Vanessa is haunted and distant, compelling in her grief yet unremarkable in her character development. Their dynamic, though authentic in moments of subtle intimacy, often comes across as melodramatic and forced.

The film’s narrative structure is both its strength and its Achilles' heel. Through strategic use of a peephole, "By the Sea" juxtaposes Roland and Vanessa's crumbling marriage with the vibrant passion of a newlywed couple next door. This device serves as a poignant metaphor for their lost love but is executed with a level of redundancy that ultimately undercuts its potential profundity. Despite its earnest exploration of love and sorrow, "By the Sea" remains shackled by its slow pacing and lack of innovative storytelling, rendering it visually arresting yet substantively hollow.

"By the Sea" is a film that relies heavily on the star power of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Pitt. While their performances are nuanced and engaging, the narrative often struggles to maintain momentum. The film thrives on its authenticity and depth, yet it never quite manages to convey a sense of dramatic importance or novelty. The cinematography is undoubtedly stunning, capturing the picturesque setting with elegance. However, for all its visual grandeur, the pacing of the story and its introspective nature may not appeal to all audiences.

The Blu-ray presentation from Universal does justice to the film's visual and auditory elements. The video quality is commendable, with vibrant colors and sharp detail that enhance the viewing experience. Similarly, the audio is well-balanced and clear, complementing the film's dialogue-driven scenes effectively. However, the special features included with the Blu-ray are relatively sparse, providing only a few extras that may fail to captivate all viewers.

In conclusion, "By the Sea" is a film that will resonate with some while leaving others indifferent. Its strength lies in its performances and visual appeal rather than its narrative drive. The Blu-ray offers decent technical quality, making it a worthwhile rental for those curious about Jolie Pitt's directorial venture since "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." However, it may ultimately be best suited for fans of the leading duo rather than a broad audience.