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Year by the Sea

Play trailer 2:11 Poster for Year by the Sea Released Sep 8, 2017 1h 54m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
After 30 years as a wife and mother, Joan retreats to Cape Cod rather than follow her husband to Kansas. Intent on rediscovering herself, but plagued with guilt, she questions her decision until stumbling upon a spirited mentor. Supported by her literary agent and a host of locals, including a sexy fisherman, Joan learns to embrace the ebb and flow of life.

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Year by the Sea

Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
Bilge Ebiri Spirituality & Health Even though the movie's observations about relationship can veer into boilerplate self-help clichés, the cast-particularly Allen-is so good that you might not mind. Mar 23, 2020 Full Review Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic The dialogue consists of almost comically generic self-help pabulum, uttered with the pseudo sincerity of someone pretending it's something enlightening. It's not. Rated: 2/5 Sep 22, 2017 Full Review Susan Wloszczyna Washington Post Instead of a hearty chowder of emotional highs and lows, first-time director Alexander Janko, who also adapted the script, settles for a diluted, Campbell's-Soup version of getting one's groove back. Rated: 2/4 Sep 21, 2017 Full Review Kip Mooney Fresh Fiction The script never gives the characters as much depth as these talented actors deserve. Rated: C+ Aug 10, 2021 Full Review Dominic Griffin DCist The world needs more films for older audiences, so such viewers can see themselves on screen and so the seasoned veterans that get these roles can continue to get work long after their superhero movie days are gone. Rated: 4.5/10 Jul 16, 2019 Full Review Alexandra MacAaron Women's Voices for Change A quiet movie, as it should be. Joan finds herself because she slows down and listens to her own needs and wants, to nature and the day-to-day rhythms of the village she's become a temporary part of. Rated: 8/10 Dec 1, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (39) audience reviews
Marsha C Anyone who has or knows a wife or mom should watch this movie. Becoming a long-term partner or parent is a life altering event for women as our societies still rely heavily on them to dedicate the majority of their time and energy to the success of the family unit. Years, sometimes decades, into the experience women can find they've lost their since of self/personal-identity through the years of service to others. This often occurs at key turning points in their lives such as becoming an empty nester, retiree, divorcee, or widow. This film explores one wife's journey of finding herself again through self reflection, the courage and willingness to change, and a supportive community. If you want hope for the future or just a feel good film this is for you. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Loved it!! A must see for all women but men will like it too. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a beautifully shot and scored, thoughtful grown up movie that is better than its trailer--and, to its credit, perhaps, seems inexplicable to some of the bloviating professional critics but will resonate with all sorts of people considering their options for the "third act" of their lives. Film is a thought-provoking work of art--and that is good enough for me... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member I had the misfortune of seeing this. It felt more like 5 years by the sea. Quite possibly the worst movie I've seen in the last 5 years! Dialogue was unbearable, nice scenery of Cape Cod. Spare yourself the time & money. Honestly, I can't believe it made it into the theaters! Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Loved this movie... I laughed... I cried. It was very real and I just loved the scenery and the music and the acting. This movie has everything. A must see...?? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Very sweet movie with two terrific actresses, Karen Allen and Celia Imrie, in a beautiful setting (Cape Cod). The messages are simple but the ending is not. Lovely portrayals of older women, and the sorrows and joys of a lifelong marriage. This is a "chick flick" for the middle-aged, and not in a bad way. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Year by the Sea

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis After 30 years as a wife and mother, Joan retreats to Cape Cod rather than follow her husband to Kansas. Intent on rediscovering herself, but plagued with guilt, she questions her decision until stumbling upon a spirited mentor. Supported by her literary agent and a host of locals, including a sexy fisherman, Joan learns to embrace the ebb and flow of life.
Director
Alexander Janko
Producer
Alexander Janko, Dale Armin Johnson, Bill Latka, Laura Goodenow
Screenwriter
Alexander Janko
Distributor
Real Women Make Waves
Production Co
Montabela Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2017
Runtime
1h 54m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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