Year by the Sea

An excellent film! Alexander Janko's screenplay masterfully combines Joan Anderson's first three books into a moving film which tells a story that women AND men can identify with...the story of reclaiming ourselves at mid-life, finding our authenticity, learning to live and laugh and find fulfillment in self and, ultimately, in relationships. The film is beautiful in scenery, music, insight and depth. Joan's story and Janko's screenplay bring the viewer moments of laughter mixed with moments of insight and clarity, substance and depth. There are lessons to learn from watching Joan's story unfold and, if we pay attention, we can all use the wisdom in this movie to help us journey towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. And while it appears to be a film for women, my husband and my 31 year old son enjoyed this film immensely (which brought me great pride in the men that they are!) This is an important film and one worth seeing!

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!

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.

I reluctantly attended a viewing of this film since I was not interested in another "escape to find myself" woman's story. I was blown away by how the film touched me -- so much more so than the books which I found irrelevant to my life. Although this movie is based on a woman's story, what impressed me the most was the protagonist's husband and his story. His courage, his honesty and his humor had me in tears. The message that relationships of all sorts can flourish over time, even after hurtful challenges is a good one for all audience members, especially for American's now. Forgiveness brings growth. Even if the story-line doesn't grab you, the acting is superb... there are some stunning moments even without words that evoke so much response from the audience because of the acting. The music and cinematography will heal hearts. Turn off your devices, go see "A Year by the Sea" and be swept away by real emotion.