Manchester by the Sea continues to be referred to as one of this generation’s saddest films. It plays upon realistic themes of depression and guilt to tell the story of a broken family. At the heart of this story is Lee Chandler, played by Casey Affleck, who is recovering from the loss of his three children and now mourning his brother’s death. Lee is forced to take care of his nephew Patrick, played by Lucas Hedges, while they navigate through the seas of grief.
While this film is no easy watch, and is by no means a popcorn joyride, it is an important viewing. Kenneth Lonergan’s direction and Oscar-winning screenplay is raw and at times quiet; very rarely does music come in to accentuate the mood, complementing the antisocial and monosyllabic Affleck. Mostly, it is the performances and static shot composition that brings the audience in. Other notable performances come from Michelle Williams as Lee’s ex-wife Randi and Kyle Chandler as Joe, Lee’s deceased brother who we see in flashbacks.
Manchester by the Sea is not a doctor-prescribed antidote to cure depression or grief. However, it is one of the perfect films to teach a lesson about how to cope. It is an accurate exploration into what depression looks like and how one might deal with it in a way that is as real as can be. A variety of these realistic elements are brought further to life through the incredible performances and non-linear storytelling.
Non-Linear Storytelling
We don’t know what is happening all at once, and that is okay. Lee’s character finds out about his brother’s death fairly early in the film, but it takes us some time for us to figure out what exactly is happening. There is not a moment in Manchester by the Sea when the characters step aside and use mindless exposition to spoon-feed the viewer every single detail. We also see that Lee is clearly depressed before his brother’s death, and we don’t find out why until the second act.
The film uses flashbacks almost like a coping tool for Lee. It is almost as if he is guarding these truths in a vault and reveals what is inside when he is truly ready. This makes sense because we have no idea what happened to his previous family until halfway through the film. In previous flashbacks, Lee is with Randi and his three children… but in the present day he is alone. We speculate about hardship and divorce, but what ultimately happens in these flashback scenes is much more intense, and Lee’s past in Manchester by the Sea is truly upsetting.
In addition, we see flashbacks that jump around in time throughout Joe’s health battle. They are not seamless transitions either, and it may take a moment for the audience to figure out when the sequence is taking place. There are also flashbacks that show Patrick as a young boy and how Lee was always a present influence in his life along with his father, Joe. But they also show the dynamic with his mother, who struggled with substance abuse. These non-linear flashbacks and presentation of information offer the audience a look deep inside the mind and soul of its damaged protagonist.
Casey Affleck Plays a Relatable Protagonist
Casey Affleck gives an emotionally compelling performance as Lee. Not only did it win him an Oscar, but it is often referred to as one of the greatest dramatic performances of recent cinematic history. Why? For starters, Affleck is able to subdue the terrible feelings Lee is experiencing and let them out through pits of rage and anger in bar fights. It is the way his character can feel something again, something other than sadness. It is one of two moments we see this character truly express real emotions and not hide under a stoic melancholy. The other is perhaps the darkest moment in the film.
Affleck brings to his character Lee what a true protagonist should be — flawed. This man is by no means a perfect specimen of a human being. He’s made mistakes which cost him the ones he loved. In a flashback in the middle of the film we see that a night of partying and substance abuse led to a mishap of judgment with the fireplace. The fire erupted in the house and killed his three children while he was getting booze from the liquor store. However, the true pain in his performance comes when he realizes that he will not be prosecuted or even jailed. Upon realizing this he takes a gun from an officer in the police station, and the look on his face gives an assurance of what he would have done if not blocked.
Lee is a troubled character with a troubled past. He conveys true humanity and guilt to the audience who may see themselves in this man. His saving grace is the bond he builds with his nephew Patrick, where some comedic elements bring levity to the overall depressing film.
Life Goes On
What is the greatest lesson this film can teach? Life goes on. Time may not heal all wounds, but it can be a decent Band-Aid. While it is not easy to tread the waters of grief and tragedy, we move forward day by day. Lee doesn’t smile until the end of the movie, after two hours. The film is more or less a visual representation of the stages of grief. However, it could also be the film that teaches one to accept that it is okay to be happy again and forgive oneself. Lee allows Patrick to be independent and live out his childhood in his hometown, where he can carry out his father’s legacy with his boat. There is a silver lining to the film despite its dark themes and subject matter.
Closure is the final piece of this puzzle. Lee and Randi come face-to-face in the final act of the film. Randi laments her sorrows to Lee, but he insists he must move on. The audience did not expect this to be a happily ever after moment between the two, because the film established realism. Life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect, but a character like Lee shows the audience that pushing forward does prevail.
