Manchester by the Sea (film)

Manchester by the Sea (film)
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Name	Manchester by the Sea
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Kenneth Lonergan
Producer	Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Kevin J. Walsh
Writer	Kenneth Lonergan
Starring	Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Music	Lesley Barber
Cinematography	Jody Lee Lipes
Editing	Jennifer Lame
Studio	Pearl Street Films, The Mediapro, K Period Media
Distributor	Amazon Studios, Roadside Attractions
Released	2016, 01, 23, Sundance Film Festival, 2016, 11, 18, United States
Runtime	137 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$8.5 million
Gross	$78.7 million

Manchester by the Sea (film) is a 2016 American drama written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan. The film stars Casey Affleck as a grieving janitor who becomes the legal guardian of his teenage nephew after his brother's death. It explores themes of loss, guilt, and familial obligation against the backdrop of a coastal Massachusetts town. Produced by Matt Damon and others, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was distributed by Amazon Studios.

Plot

Lee Chandler, a sullen janitor living in Quincy, Massachusetts, is summoned to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea after the sudden death of his older brother, Joe, from congestive heart failure. Lee learns that Joe's will names him as the legal guardian of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick, a responsibility Lee is reluctant to accept due to a traumatic past. Through a series of nonlinear narrative flashbacks, it is revealed that Lee accidentally caused a house fire years earlier that killed his three young children, leading to the collapse of his marriage to Randi. The film follows Lee's strained attempts to reconnect with Patrick and navigate his overwhelming grief and guilt, culminating in a decision about his future role in his nephew's life.

Cast

* Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler * Michelle Williams as Randi Chandler * Kyle Chandler as Joe Chandler * Lucas Hedges as Patrick Chandler * Gretchen Mol as Elise Chandler * Tate Donovan as Hockey Coach * C.J. Wilson as George * Josh Hamilton as Minor Character * Heather Burns as Jill * Matthew Broderick as Jeffrey * Anna Baryshnikov as Sandy

Production

The project originated with producer Matt Damon, who was initially attached to star and direct before scheduling conflicts led him to hand both roles to Kenneth Lonergan. Lonergan wrote the screenplay, drawing on his established themes of everyday tragedy. Principal photography began in March 2015 on location in Manchester-by-the-Sea and other towns on Massachusetts's North Shore, including Beverly and Swampscott. Cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes utilized a muted, wintry visual palette. The score was composed by Lesley Barber, and the film was edited by Jennifer Lame.

Themes and analysis

The film is a profound meditation on inexpressible grief and the persistence of trauma. Critics have analyzed Lee's emotional paralysis and the film's rejection of simplistic redemption narratives. The setting of a tight-knit New England community acts as a constant reminder of Lee's past, making his attempted return a psychological ordeal. The dynamic between Lee and Patrick explores unconventional masculinity and the ways people cope with loss through humor, anger, or withdrawal. Scholars have noted the film's alignment with the traditions of American realism and its nuanced portrayal of working class life.

Release and reception

Manchester by the Sea premiered on January 23, 2016, at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was met with critical acclaim. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 18, 2016, by Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions, before a wider expansion. The film was a major critical success, with particular praise directed at Lonergan's screenplay and direction, as well as the performances of Affleck, Williams, and Hedges. It grossed over $78 million worldwide against an $8.5 million budget. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a 96% approval rating, and it holds a score of 96 on Metacritic.

Accolades

The film received numerous awards and nominations. At the 89th Academy Awards, it was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Lonergan. Casey Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and Kenneth Lonergan won for Best Original Screenplay. Affleck also won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG Award for his performance. Michelle Williams and Lucas Hedges received supporting acting nominations from the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and BAFTA.

Category:2016 films Category:American drama films Category:Films directed by Kenneth Lonergan