Speculations arose that By the Sea, depicting a fictional couple facing marital problems, mirrored the real-life situation of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Nevertheless, the actress firmly dismissed these rumors, asserting the solidity of their relationship. The film necessitated the portrayal of love scenes between the ex-couple, an experience that proved uncomfortable for both the actors and those around them.
Shooting intimate or explicit scenes with co-stars can rapidly become awkward, but what if your co-star is also your spouse? In a candid interview with Entertainment Weekly, Angelina Jolie opened up about the awkwardness that permeated the set of By the Sea when the lead stars were required to film love scenes.
As the director of the film, Jolie mentioned that this situation became even more awkward for everyone present when she found herself naked in the bathtub, providing guidance to her husband through the love scene.
Jolie continued her conversation with Entertainment Weekly, where she disclosed that Pitt was always on towel duty for her. In order for the actress to review the shot, she had to walk from the bathtub to the monitor. However, this task would have been impossible without Pitt's assistance, given that she was not wearing anything.
By the Sea, directed by Jolie, managed to gross only $3 million, falling short of its $10 million budget. Even critics were not enthralled by the film, as evidenced by its 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus suggested that while the film might captivate fans of "a certain type of arthouse cinema," it failed to captivate a broader audience.
