Manchester by the Sea review

Wrote in 2022, essay from English for arts & humanities lecture

(source: from the movie, Manchester by the Sea)

With a thousand thoughts running through my head, all I could notice is the sense of grief that was still inside of me, four days after watching this movie. The warily written dialogue, Irreplaceable casting, and unique use of music make the movie stands out from this hero genre-filled generation and became a winner of many awards. A story with a simple background, a man must return to his hometown and take care of his nephew after the loss of his older brother, created one of the most heartbreaking movies of the decade.

If you are familiar with the earlier works of the writer-director of this movie, Kenneth Lonergan, this movie could first be seems like he is reusing his old idea. Yet, after spending two hours and 17 mins, you will know this one outstand from all. Overwhelmed interaction with the numerous character who appeared one after the other, the spotlight on the protagonist-Lee Chandler (Affleck) did not dim away. Instead, the on-point acting of Casey Affleck and the delicately written dialogue, show us Lee was not just a misanthrope person who was often angry and frustrated with everything. What’s more is that the director smartly puts a sense of weirdness in Lee, isolating him from others even more. With a character that has such complex emotion, still, it is perfectly presented by Casey Affleck. Especially, when together with his 16-years old nephew, Patrick (Hedges), there are always new sparks, and discovering this character's new side.

On top of that, the brilliant editing style makes you slowly sink into the bottomless lake of sorrow. Each of the flashbacks that shuffle out the films, are traps that Lonergan carefully laid, that wounded you gently each time until you bleed out inadvertently by the end of the movie. Despite that, he used a special way for the cut scenes. In some parts of the movie, when it reached to climax, a sharp cut appeared and wasted no time throwing the audience into dealing with another completely different event. The classical music that sometimes submerged the lines, makes one not even have the time to collect thoughts, confused by the fast pace of changes. However, this makes the audience can collect the piece and connect the dot, better understanding what Lee has gone through. Slowly leaving a bitter aftertaste in your throat.

Even though this is not based on a real story, it gives you the most realistic feeling. Lonergan did not simply give you a movie that discusses grief, but it is representing the pains that live inside of us, which we might never be able to beat. It shows us a way and teaches us how to carry on and live with it.

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