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Manchester by the Sea

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Manchester by the Sea R Released Dec 16, 2016 2h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 357 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

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 Phillip M The painful gut punch coming midway is a stroke of genius. Although slow in its build up, it works because you have the sense of a great tragedy to come, something that will explain the main character's choices. When the reveal does come, your guts ache and you take a breath. Beyond the reveal is a study of trying to deal with real life whilst carrying enormous pain, the mundane being interrupted constantly by the horrors of the past. An excellent film. Great visuals, dialogue and script, all well delivered. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review naomi b the best film i've ever seen. a work of art Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review Travis J beautiful human experience Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review O A An absurd performance by Casey Affleck and the atmosphere of this film makes you feel every moment of the film. In addition, you sympathize with the characters in the story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Manchester by the Sea

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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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