Manchester by the Sea was released on November 18th, 2016. Yet another drama, directed by Kenneth Lonergan, places a soul-searching, heart-piercing reality in the face of its viewers.
This film’s title rings ever so elegantly, like a work of art, and there is nothing more beautiful than watching a masterpiece come to life through film. Manchester by the Sea has extraordinary cinematography, a glorious color-scheme, and a monotone mood that truly keeps viewers watching with anticipation.
Most audiences are unable to hold back tears while watching this film, as Manchester by the Sea reaches inside of its viewers while allowing them to relate its difficulties, painful events, and struggling relationships to those of their own. There is much to be aware of: sorrow and hurt are thriving in every individual—some more than others, but each equally painful.
After getting a call that his older brother Joe passed away due to heart failure, an anticipated death he was warned about years before, Lee is told that, in accordance with Joe’s will, he will need to become the caretaker and guardian of Joe’s only son, Patrick. Lee is shocked that his brother never made him aware of this, but he attempts to work things out regardless.
The film revolves around the obstacles Lee faces as he tries to decide what is best for Patrick so that he is raised properly and in the most comfortable way. However, Lee is not entirely willing to take on the full responsibility of raising Patrick, causing him to ask close family-friends to take on the role by adopting Joe’s son.
There is good reason behind this story, though. Lee has reason to feel the way that he does about raising Patrick as his own: he simply cannot dig his way out of the hole of darkness and utter contempt for himself that he had fallen into over the years.
Due to these past circumstances, Lee has trouble living with himself, and subsequently, he finds it particularly difficult to fully live with others as well.
In the end, Lee boldly yet humbly explains that he cannot be the guardian figure that Patrick needs. He realizes that nothing will allow his old self to return, and no amount of joy would or could ever find its way back into his life.
He cannot get over himself; he is unable to grow up and get past the mistakes he made and the love and joy he so unfortunately lost. The lack of passion within Lee reveals the change of behavior within himself, and flashbacks allow viewers to fully grasp the painful truth that claims he will never again be the fun and loving joker in the family.
Throughout the film, Lee displays self-hatred, regret, an undying understanding that nothing will ever be the same and ultimately that he cannot get back what he lost.
This film is heart-wrenching, indeed, but it holds more meaning than an average watcher may notice. It is powerful in its delivery of pain, and with the impressive cinematography and classical soundtrack, Manchester by the Sea is all around striking, revealing the harshness of the life of a man who lost everything, and one who places the blame on himself day in and day out.
Hatred and contempt stand in the way of healing, and viewers are sort of left to put the pieces together in the end, with highest hopes that Lee was eventually able to live his life again.
Manchester by the Sea makes a bold statement that exclaims to the world that perhaps sometimes pain is immovable. Often, individuals have no way of forgetting and stepping past the unfortunate events that face them and have surpassed them and so tear at their heart, soul, and entire being, especially when attempting to do it on their own.
Despite this depressing idea, within the final scene, Lee is seen genuinely smiling. Something about this allows viewers to understand that maybe there truly is something beyond the pain of death: though that aspect of life inevitable, when we are willing to forgive ourselves, there is beauty and love to be found within those around us who are alive and breathing and ultimately thriving.
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