Manchester By The Sea is a tough movie to review. There I’ve said it.
Yes I know it’s up for every award under the sun, so maybe you won’t believe what I have to say but hear me out.
Manchester by the Sea tells the story of the Chandler family, a working class family from Massachusetts. After Lee’s (Casey Affleck) older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) suddenly passes away, he is made the legal guardian of his nephew (Lucas Hedges).
Unravelling in a series of flashbacks we soon learn that Lee has his own issues to deal with, particularly a tragic past that separated him from his wife Randi (Michelle Williams). His grief so intense, he’d moved away from the community where he was born and raised to escape the memories. That was until his new guardian status saw him return home and on a collision course with what he’s been running from.
Don’t get me wrong the acting was brilliant. Casey Affleck’s restrained performance was masterful and I can see why he is up for so many awards. He could easily have taken the character over the top which would have been an entirely different kind of movie. So too Michelle Williams, her anguish clear to see. The younger Hedges plays the part of the popular teen extremely well. It was so refreshing to see a teenage character who’s popular rather than laden with the usual teenage angst.
The long silences stop the story from moving along at pace, reminding the viewer that grief has to be moved through with respect, rather than sprinted. The slow pace equates well with the drain of devastation, and the music added to this.
No the problem was … the emotions seemed so raw, so real that at sometimes it was almost unbearable to watch, particularly at such a slow pace.
As I watched people stroll out of the movie deep in thought I pondered that Manchester by the Sea is a reminder of how one innocent seemingly inconsequential decision can impact our lives, and those close to us, forever. Anyone who has suddenly lost a loved one will relate to the numbness, the need to close off and not allow anyone in. The need for self preservation. This level of reality will no doubt make people run to see the movie, however personal experience makes it tough for me to recommend it to anyone currently moving through loss. It’s just too real.
Good luck to Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in the Awards ceremonies.
For times go to Luna cinemas
