Year by the Sea

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.

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!

This is a wonderful movie. The reviews by the professional critics are way off base - the majority of viewers in any general audience would love this story. It simply has all the elements of a good movie. I judge the quality of a movie by my "after images" -- what stays in my mind hours and days later and how I feel. It makes an impact -- it's a real study on relationships of all types. I highly recommend this film to both men and women... It's a meaningful movie with warmth, depth and class. May I add everyone in the theater clapped when it was finished. That's a sign of a special viewing experience.

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.

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!