MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Review: Lee Chandler learns that his brother Joe has died and has made him sole guardian of his son Patrick. Lee has to take leave from his job and returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea in order to look after Patrick. Both Lee and Patrick struggle to deal with a world without Joe.
Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Ben O’Brien and Lucas Hedges
Year: 2016
Genre: Drama
Conclusion: 4/5
This is a masterpiece of filmmaking by Kenneth Lonergan and is only his third feature film. Casey Affleck is brilliant and he portrays how depressed his character actually is and what he is going through. He conveys emotions even by the way he stands and gestures at things. It is one of the best performances I have ever seen. This was originally developed as a vehicle for producer Matt Damon. The whole film makes you feel like you are actually there with all the characters and going along every step with them. Lucas Hedges is superb. All the cast give so much to this film. I do feel like Michelle Williams is a bit side lined. I would have liked to have seen more of her. You don’t know which character you have more sympathy for. Just looking at the movie poster it made me think that it was about Lee Chandler and Randi. I found this quite misleading. Even though I had seen the trailer and read so much about this film it still didn’t prepare me totally as to what it was about. Did you know that the town of Manchester by the Sea was just called Manchester and changed its title in 1989 when resident Edward Corley led a highly controversial campaign to change its name? This is a very long film standing in at 2 hours 17mins but it never felt that long. In my opinion it almost could have done with being longer. I was rather upset when it finished. The themes that occur in this film are love, regret and bereavement. At the Academy Awards in 2017 this won 2 Oscars. They were for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Casey Affleck) and for Best Original Screenplay (Kenneth Lonergan). At the Golden Globe Awards the same year it won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Casey Affleck). At the Bafta Film Awards in 2017 this won 2 awards. They were for Best Leading Actor (Casey Affleck) and for Best Screenplay (Original) (Kenneth Lonergan).
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi967947801?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_9
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Beth's Best Film Blog 
I also enjoyed this film so much and would like to revisit it. Thought it was very real; a slice of life. I agree with you with re: 1 the poster definitely creates a certain expectation which is misleading; 2 MW’s character is not fully developed. I enjoyed reading your review. Spot on. Marié (I am also a blogger but write in my mother tongue. I will do English translations over a period of time. You can check it out so long: Karmosyn.wordpress.com. I am following you and am getting your e-mails.) 😀
Manchester by the sea: I also enjoyed this film a lot. It’s very real, a slice of life. I agree with you re: the poster being misleading, and MW’s character being underdeveloped. I would actually like to revisit it. Your review is spot on. Thank you. (I am a blogger but I write in my mother tongue mostly. Will do English translations from time to time. You can check it out so long. Karmosyn.wordpress.com)
Manchester by the sea: I enjoyed this movie very much. It’s so real, a slice of life. I agree with the poster being misleading and MW’s character being underdeveloped. I want to revisit it soon. Your review is spot on. (My blog is in my mother tongue mostly but I will do English translations from time time to time. You can check it out so long. 🙂 Its brand-new.