Year by the Sea

A fine story of a middle age experimental year of rediscovery. The husband's character as a curmudgeon is a bit on-the-nose and stereotypical. Would have been nice to see a bit more empathy for the husband in the situation, as he had little choice in the matter for job relocation. The attempt to establish multiple characters in the wife's new environment fell a bit short as well. Some solid scenes that helped to paint the picture of the complexities of a small harbor town while some attempts at widening the scope fell short. (A local bully seemed a bit unnecessary to the overall plot) The overuse of the color blue by the creatives is a bit annoying. Actually, very annoying.

It would be easy to dismiss this movie as a "chick flick" and move on. And to be quite honest - nothing about this movie particularly resonated with me - a middle aged male who had little in common with the characters. Didn't resonate particularly with my middle aged girlfriend either. So for the plot - read the other reviews.

But technically - this movie had some distractions that didn't help either of us concentrate on the plot: - Too many shots of wildlife and seashore were simply too long and wandering.

• Some shots were plain out of focus. Not differential focus for depth but simply out of focus. Perhaps the editor was trying to dissolve between shots by using a shot that went out of focus and then picking up the next shot out of focus and coming into focus. Or trying to save what the camera handed them. I suspect the latter and it was distracting.

• And though I am sure what we were being presented with were quotes from the book over some shots - they seemed misplaced or even disjointed.

The whole thing needed some tighter editing to avoid these distractions. Then I might have had more time for the plot.

This is a MUST SEE movie. It is a beautiful story that reminds us it's NEVER too late to "reclaim" your life. The cast is wonderful. The scenery is amazing! The musical score is beautiful! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll "cheer on" the actors. You'll walk out of the theater feeling good! This is a great reminder that if we do what's "right" for us, it's not being selfish, it's being self nurturing, and is also right for those around us. Essential. It took such courage for Joan to give herself the "gift" of time away to find the person she had lost so many years earlier. It's a reminder that the risks involved in changing your life when necessary are definitely worth it for survival!

Uses every cliché in the books.. There were audible groans at the screening I attended at a film festival. Talk on the way out was "awful" and "disappointing". The acting was good. The scenery was wonderful. The plot was lacking. The time line didn't really fit the narrative. Only one of the five people who were with me enjoyed the movie. The casting was very good. At least the producer chose the right actors for the roles. I was impressed by the scenery. It is really a very beautiful part of the world. It is very disappointing when you go to a movie with such a splendid cast and leave wishing that there was more to the story line and plot.

At the screening I attended, you could hear a pin drop. There were laughs and tears. People were talking about it long after it was over. Year by the Sea speaks to men and women alike about mid- life, crossroads, commitment, and self-development. "It's never too late to reclaim your life" is the film's tag-line (on the posters), and that message stays with you. For those familiar with Joan's successful books and retreats, I think you will feel like coming home. Shot entirely on Cape Cod with a phenomenal cast, it is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. Expect to walk away from Year by the Sea thinking about your life and choices in a new, possibly transformational way. My friends wanted to go back and see it again right away. There is deep, abiding truth in this little independent film. Highly recommend.