****
Returning to his hometown after his brother falls ill, sullen janitor Lee must face up to the demons of his past whilst rebuilding the broken relationship with his estranged nephew.
After watching Manchester by the Sea, I tried to work out at what point you find yourself so immersed within a film that all you can think about is on the screen. For me, I think it was when depressed central character, Lee (an outstanding Casey Affleck) sat arguing with his boss without raising his voice. Immediately, so many questions sprang to mind, and I had to know more. This was a feeling that continued throughout the film, and even after the ending - what would the characters go on to do next? It is testament to the film (and Kenneth Logeran's poignant script) that we don't become bored or frustrated watching these two bereaved men carrying out their everyday lives - we are instead intrigued. Filled with trauma and tragedy, Logeran's brilliant screenplay also manages to pick out the absurdist humour that can be found within suffering, making for a very human insight into the different ways we respond to grief. It is, of course, not laugh-out-loud funny, but jet black in its comedy instead. At the centre of all this is Casey Affleck's performance. Jumping between his current depressed state and his past as a gregarious family man, Affleck gets to demonstrate a highly nuanced portrayal of a life torn apart - an oxymoronic experience that is pleasurably heart-breaking. The film looks beautiful too, with long shots of the cold sea echoing the icy grip of the past that lingers over the characters.
Despite this, there were some parts of the story and script that did let the film down. For a start, this could hardly be called a feminist film, as the female characters are largely sidelined to make way for the depiction of male suffering to take the forefront. Michelle Williams receives a top billing in the cast list (and on the poster) but she barely features in the film - a shame, as I wanted to know more about the breakdown of their marriage. Similarly, why won't Lee criticise his nephew for the way he treats women? Patrick is dating two girls at once, and yet Lee never passes comment, asking only if he needs to provide the sex talk. Also, there is a recurring soundtrack in which a series of women warble over the images appearing on screen. I imagine the aim was to create a brooding atmosphere, but I just found it a little irritating instead.
Smart and understated in its portrayal of grief and depression, Manchester by the Sea is undoubtedly an excellent piece of script writing. Powered by Affleck's nuanced performance, the film captures and immerses you from the very beginning, allowing you an insight into the lives on screen without trying to deliver a meaningful message or sermon. Emotive and heart-breaking, this is a film to think about long after the credits roll.
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