Manchester by the Sea
Film
Review
by Kam Williams
Blood
Thicker than Water in Dysfunctional Family Drama Set in New England.
Lee
Chandler (Casey Affleck) was having a hard time hanging on to his job
as a janitor in Quincy, Massachusetts, when he received word from a
family friend (C.J. Wilson) that his big brother, Joe (Kyle
Chandler), had just suffered a heart attack after a fall on his
fishing boat. Lee immediately rushed to the hospital only to learn
that his sibling had just passed away.
Joe
had been raising his son (Lucas Hedges) alone, since his
long-estranged wife (Gretchen Mol) had a serious, substance abuse
problem. Therefore, it now not only falls upon Lee's shoulders to
inform Patrick about the tragedy, but to serve as the grieving teen's
guardian and role model, in accordance with his brother's last
wishes.
Out
of a sense of duty, Lee reluctantly moves back to his hometown,
Manchester by the Sea, a place where he'd already experienced more
than his share of misfortune. While subsequently trying to control a
headstrong, 16 year-old, he finds himself forced to confront his
demons when he crosses paths with his contrite ex-wife (Michelle
Williams).
Thus
unfolds Manchester by the Sea, a
character-driven drama written and directed by two-time,
Oscar-nominee Kenneth Lonergan (for the scripts of You Can Count on
Me and Gangs of New York). Another Academy Award nomination is likely
in the offing for this heartrending portrait of a working-class hero.
Lee
is not your typical protagonist, not by a long shot. He's an
uncharismatic underachiever with a checkered past. Yet, by the same
token, it is clear that he is determined to do his best by the boy
with whose care he's been entrusted. Trouble is, Lee's a man of few
words who simply doesn't come equipped with a sophisticated skill
set.
Still,
Lonergan somehow manages to explore the inscrutable everyman's psyche
in a novel way which not only makes him accessible, but likable.
Credit must go to Casey Affleck, too, for his nonpareil performance
in a role where he was often forced to resort to non-verbal
communication in myriad situations where words would ostensibly
escape Lee.
An
emotionally-engaging tale of redemption certain to garner its share
of accolades over the course of the awards season.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for sexuality and pervasive profanity
Running time: 137 minutes
Distributor: Amazon Studios /Roadside Attractions
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