Manchester By The Sea
Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is a morose handyman working in Boston, who is rude to customers and starts fights in bars. The death of his brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) brings him back to the titular town, where he is informed that Joe has made arrangements for him to become the guardian of his 16 year old nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Haunted by an event in his past, he is exceedingly reluctant to stay in the town.
Any film with a morose depressive as a central character will normally be up my street*, but Affleck gives a particularly thoughtful and nuanced performance here. His acting in the funeral scene in particular is superb, his face telling the entire story as his ex-wife returns into his life. It's his relationship with Patrick that drives the majority of the film, with Hedges producing a believable portrayal of a teenager negotiating a difficult phase of their life.
The film's narrative is cleverly constructed to give the audience tidbits about Lee's past life. When the big reveal arrives, its impact is devastating. There's also solid supporting work from the likes of Matthew Broderick, although I still find it exceedingly difficult to see Broderick as anyone other than Ferris Bueller. The film mostly hits the right notes although there are a couple of missteps. Michelle Williams doesn't get enough screen time as Lee's ex-wife Brandi and one of her appearances is, to put it mildly, overwrought.
The finale is also less definitive than I would perhaps have liked, although by its very nature there cannot be a simple ending to Lee's story, or even an ending an all. Manchester By The Sea is a fine drama and a moving portrait of grief.
*Anomalisa is the exception that comes to mind.
Any film with a morose depressive as a central character will normally be up my street*, but Affleck gives a particularly thoughtful and nuanced performance here. His acting in the funeral scene in particular is superb, his face telling the entire story as his ex-wife returns into his life. It's his relationship with Patrick that drives the majority of the film, with Hedges producing a believable portrayal of a teenager negotiating a difficult phase of their life.
The film's narrative is cleverly constructed to give the audience tidbits about Lee's past life. When the big reveal arrives, its impact is devastating. There's also solid supporting work from the likes of Matthew Broderick, although I still find it exceedingly difficult to see Broderick as anyone other than Ferris Bueller. The film mostly hits the right notes although there are a couple of missteps. Michelle Williams doesn't get enough screen time as Lee's ex-wife Brandi and one of her appearances is, to put it mildly, overwrought.
The finale is also less definitive than I would perhaps have liked, although by its very nature there cannot be a simple ending to Lee's story, or even an ending an all. Manchester By The Sea is a fine drama and a moving portrait of grief.
*Anomalisa is the exception that comes to mind.
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