Review of Manchester by the Sea (2016) by Cole W — 10 Jul 2017

What an incredible film. Though it's heart-wrenching at times, it's not the downer that I expected it to be. There is some seriously heavy stuff here, but the film perfectly balances it with just the right amount of humor.

This is a movie that some people may not appreciate due to its subtlety. The genius of this film lies in what is unsaid. Everything you need to know is there on-screen, but it's not spelled out for you - it's in the details: how the characters look (or don't look) at each other, a picture on the wall, a silence between two people.

The film exemplifies a naturalism that is rarely seen in movies these days... it immerses you in a world of real people, in a real place, experiencing real crises and real emotions. The characters are SO well written, including the best written teenage character I have seen in a movie, maybe ever.

And Casey Affleck is a revelation, he embodied his character so fully, I'd swear it was actually him. He's got that Best Actor trophy in the bag, no one else can touch him. The film is peppered with flashbacks that take some getting used to, but they are used brilliantly to slowly unfold the story behind the story.

.. which is really where the meat of this film is. If I have any complaints, it's that it's a little too long and drags a bit in parts. But for me, this movie is easily one of the best of the year, if not THE best.