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Manchester by the Sea

R Released Dec 16, 2016 2h 17m Drama TRAILER for List
96% Tomatometer 359 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.
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Manchester by the Sea

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Critics Consensus

Manchester by the Sea delivers affecting drama populated by full-bodied characters, marking another strong step forward for writer-director Kenneth Lonergan.

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Critics Reviews

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K. Austin Collins The Ringer In Manchester by the Sea, Kenneth Lonergan again explores the depth of grief. Aug 10, 2017 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan's MANCHESTER BY THE SEA made me leave the theater feeling empty... it could easily be filed away as just another white male angst narrative. Rated: C+ Mar 22, 2017 Full Review Wenlei Ma News.com.au Manchester by the Sea may be a potent examination of grief, family and self-imposed solitude, but it's also oddly life-affirming and uplifting. Rated: 5/5 Jan 31, 2017 Full Review JD Duran InSession Film Manchester By the Sea may be a somber and dour experience, but it’s one full of hope that people can survive grief. Rated: A Aug 8, 2024 Full Review Demitra Kampakis Vague Visages Lonergan interrogates the realities of grief with sober restraint. Dec 12, 2023 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Manchester overflows with ripe dialogue, developed characters, and a toughmindedness that resists the all-American bromide that with a little emotional elbow grease, anyone can transcend their past and get on with it. Jan 18, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven M. My favorite movie of that year! Simply splendid. The acting and directing and writing are beautiful. My pick for Best Picture over Moonlight. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/21 Full Review Katie D Perfect movie for a gray day! This film feels a little long and the editing/cinematography could use some work, but the acting is award-worthy! It is definitely Casey Affleck's best work and also a wonderful performance by Lucas Hedges! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/15/21 Full Review Les N By far the most depressing movie I have seen. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Benjamin H Such an authentic, heartfelt and thoughtful drama that is handled with so much care and emotion that it completely absorbed me from scene one, largely also due to stellar writing and direction by Kenneth Lonergan and magnificent performances by its great cast. The only tine nitpick is that certain scenes, with Patrick didn't involve me as much, but that is pretty much an insignificant gripe to an otherwise powerful and brilliant film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Robbie W I feel like the entire time I was waiting for something to happen but literally nothing, very slow I mean sure it has those good moments but a very meh movie. Idk if the intention was to feel empty after watching but just boring, it has good acting, and great cinematography. This movie was hyped to be extremely sad but to be honest it wasn't, I know that's not the movies fault just pointing out. Overall a decent movie. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Koi P Great performances. It would have been more enjoyable without the music or different music. It was grating, but perhaps by design. Even keeled without much excitement or satisfaction, but true to the plot and characters. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.
Director
Kenneth Lonergan
Producer
Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Lauren Beck, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter
Kenneth Lonergan
Distributor
Roadside Attractions, Amazon Studios
Production Co
Roadside Attractions, Big Indie Pictures
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 16, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.7M
Runtime
2h 17m
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