Grief and pain are persistent throughout this powerfully tender family drama, small in setting, broad in scope.
Casey Affleck returns to Manchester, Massachussets on the death of his brother to a 16 year old nephew left alone and his own demons from the past. It’s an emotional powerhouse of a film (throw in an operatic soundtrack that adds rather than manipulates) as Affleck looks for some kind of redemption via emotional recovery.
An ensemble piece, a young Lucas Hedges and Michelle Williams as the ex-wife are superb supports but a haunting Casey Affleck is truly authentic in this nuanced, understated performance.
Quietly devastating.
Nominated for 6 Oscars in 2017 (including best film, supporting actress, supporting actor, director) – won 2 (best actor, original screenplay).
Rating: 88%
Director: Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret, You Can Count On Me)
Writer: Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret, Gangs of New York)
Main cast: Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James, Interstellar), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine), Lucas Hedges (Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel)
An Opinion or Two 
2 thoughts on “‘Manchester by the Sea’”