A 2016 film continues to be hailed by fans and critics, nearly ten years after its release, and is now available to stream on Netflix. Manchester by the Sea is a drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan.
It stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges. The film follows themes of depression, guilt, grief, responsibility, dysfunctional families and post-traumatic stress disorder. Manchester by the Sea has received critical acclaim and was widely listed among the best films of 2016; the National Board of Review listed it as the top film of 2016.
At the 89th Academy Awards, Manchester by the Sea won Academy Awards for Best Actor for Affleck and Best Original Screenplay, and additional nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Hedges), and Best Supporting Actress (Williams).
The film’s synopsis reads: “After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him the sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.”
Manchester by the Sea has a near-perfect rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The critics’ consensus states: “Manchester by the Sea delivers affecting drama populated by full-bodied characters, marking another strong step forward for writer-director Kenneth Lonergan.”
One fan of the film wrote: “Manchester by the Sea is a masterful exploration of grief and the weight of unspoken pain. Set against the stark beauty of coastal Massachusetts, the film’s grey skies and empty winter streets mirror its protagonist’s emotional landscape perfectly. Casey Affleck delivers a haunting performance as Lee Chandler, a man who carries his past like a physical burden.”
Another described it as a “masterpiece”, they stated: “Maybe the saddest, and most emotionally painful film I have ever seen. It’s impossible not to feel the depth of heartache its characters endure. An absolute masterpiece in cinema.”
“Wow. Didn’t expect it to be this good. Phenomenal acting. Such realistic acting and dialogue. I’m happily blown away by how moving and dark this movie was. A reflection of the tragedies of real life. A journey we all take eventually. Five stars,” added a third.
A fourth described it as a “piece of art”, adding that it was “the best film I’ve ever seen”.
Manchester by the Sea is available to stream now on Netflix.
