Manchester By The Sea is one of the most realistic portrayals of grief and trauma in film. Released in 2016, the film focuses on Lee Chandler, played by Casey Affleck. After the death of his brother, and the sudden assignment of guardianship over his nephew, Lee travels back to his hometown, Manchester. There he is forced to relive the traumatic memories and reflect on his past marriage.

What the film does so well is showcase grief without the romanticizing common in movies. For example, the funeral scene doesn’t contain much crying, if at all. Rather, it has a baby crying, dinner guests greeting each other by shouting across the room, and awkward moments of silence between characters who don’t know what to say. It’s only later in the movie, when the son of Lee’s now dead brother, goes home and sees frozen chicken, does he break down. This scene parallels reality. Director Kenneth Lonergan wanted to show the truth. Individuals going through traumatic experiences don’t cry at the most convenient, or expected times. Often, small, unassuming inconveniences, like a frozen chicken, will spark a flood of emotions.

Casey Affleck, the lead in the movie, puts on a spectacular performance. His character, Lee Chandler, has become a recluse. Depressed, alone and wallowing in his own grief, Lee is forced to take responsibility and leadership  in arranging the funeral and burial of his brother, managing his property, and in taking care of his orphaned teenage nephew. During this experience, audiences see flashbacks of his life, a stark contrast to the time the movie takes place. Affleck is able to portray the best and worst sides of Lee.

Manchester by the Sea is a must watch for anyone interested in grief. Its ability to balance intense emotions with the awkwardness of the trivialities of dealing with a death is awe inspiring. The story unravels itself, exposing more and more about the main character’s troubled past. Its relatability mixed with its rawness will have most people reaching for the tissue box.

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Image Credits:

Featured Image: Shot taken from Manchester By The Sea film.