#TIFF16: “MANCHESTER BY THE SEA”

Review by Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong

 

In real life very few situations end with a tidy bow and the words “happily ever after.” Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan takes this notion to heart in the Movie Manchester By the Sea as his characters must reconcile past sorrows if they want survive the tragedies of today.

Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is quietly enduring his life when he learns his beloved brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) has died of congestive heart failure. At the reading of Joe’s will, Lee is horrified to learn that he has been given guardianship of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). As the two struggle to find common ground, the audience slowly learns the truth behind Lee’s painful past and why he is so reluctant to stay in the seaside town.

With a Supporting Cast that boasts Matthew Broderick, Gretchen Mol and Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea suffers from no shortage of heavy-hitters. That said, the best part of the Movie is Casey Affleck who captures Lee’s tortured soul in a way that is never played for melodrama, but rather fleshed out with unexpected subtlety and nuance.

With plenty of hopeful Oscar buzz already surrounding this Movie, Manchester By the Sea is sure to be a hot ticket during TIFF ’16.

Manchester by the Sea screens at TIFF:

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 6:00 PM Princess of Wales
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 11:30 AM Visa Screening Room