6) Manchester By The Sea
Manchester By The Sea is not depressing. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching, tear-your-heart-out savagery, but not without earned lumps. There are even jokes! Like, I was laughing WAY more than I thought I’d be given the personal loss and lofty appropriations of grief. You’re allowed to laugh and cry at the same time, just like Lee Chandler is allowed to punch windows, get in bar fights and avoid a past he’ll never get over. Kenneth Lonergan certainly isn’t out to make a feel-good story of redemption, but there’s just as much importance in the dark side of life as there is fluffy, “everything will be OK” happy notes.
Accusations aside, Casey Affleck’s work in Manchester By The Sea doesn’t deserve to be beaten this February. One scene in particular stands out, where we connect with Lee’s current emotional capacity. While Patrick (Lucas Hedges) is having a panic attack (brought on by chicken cutlets and memories of his father), Lee demands to enter his room. Without hesitation, after a few moments, he just kicks the door swinging open, and immediately starts cold explaining the entire scenario. He won’t push Patrick, but simply states if he’s going to have a breakdown, the door has to remain open. Not in coldness, not in ignorance, but it’s the most emotion Lee can bring himself to muster – and he still does it.
The movie itself rides a rollercoaster of ups and downs that rip the rug from under you, but the story itself is worth every haymaker Lonergan throws. You’ll leave emotionally bruised and beaten, and still feel like you were part of something important.