This deeply moving film depicts the fragility of life. The protagonist, Lee Chandler, faces a tragedy that causes many heartbreaks of his past to resurface. The subject material of the film is very dark, telling the story of a blue collar Boston man summoned back to his hometown, Manchester-by-the-Sea, due to the loss of his brother. Upon arrival, he quickly learns that he was appointed guardian of his 16-year-old nephew. Once there, he's forced to face the demons he thought he left in the past.
What I most admired about "Manchester by the Sea" was that it didn't fall into the trap most emotionally charged movies fall into- unbelievability. It is common for movies about tragedy to shift gears along the way and provide a happy resolution for the audience. This film broke away from this format. I think this was a crucial component that sets "Manchester by the Sea" apart from other great films- it told a story closer to real life. In life, there aren't always rainbows after the storm.
In a truly mesmerizing fashion, humor was subtly incorporated into the script, which is a difficult task in an emotional film. This sense of humor is dark, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the rest of the script, while still throwing a punch at just the right moments.
Casey Affleck gave an absolutely stellar performance as the lead role, consistently staying true to character from the first to last scene. It is rare to see such perfectly imperfect characters in film these days. Affleck's character, Lee Chandler, is consistently brutally honest and solitary. Never once was I able to question the legitimacy of this character. The character was beautifully crafted and flawlessly portrayed. Every detail reminded us of Lee's troubled past, from the way he walked around with his hands in his pockets, to the way he avoided the most basic small talk with strangers.
I have been a huge Michelle Williams for years, and my admiration for her work grew exponentially in this film. Williams plays Randi, Lee Chandler's ex-wife. While Williams is great throughout the whole film, there is a final scene between Lee and Randi that is bone-chilling and heartbreaking. This scene further demonstrates the pain that people experience in life- while difficult to watch, there is immense beauty in this pain.
Over all, though it is emotionally taxing, try not to miss "Manchester by the Sea" this season. The emotional nature of this movie leaves you thinking. Everything about this film was beautiful and sobering.
