Jolie's next directorial effort was the marital drama "By the Sea" (2015), in which she starred opposite her husband, Brad Pitt, marking their first collaboration since 2005's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". Based on her screenplay, the film was a deeply personal project for Jolie, who drew inspiration from her own mother's life. Critics, however, dismissed it as a "vanity project," as part of an overall poor reception. Writing for "The Washington Post", Stephanie Merry noted its dearth of genuine emotion, stating, ""By the Sea" is dazzlingly gorgeous, as are its stars. But peeling back layer upon layer of exquisite ennui reveals nothing but emptiness, sprinkled with stilted sentiments." Despite starring two of Hollywood's leading actors, the film received only a limited release.