"Manchester by the Sea" (some spoiling)
Last edited Sat Jan 14, 2017, 12:17 PM - Edit history (2)
Wanted to see this movie as this was familiar territory for me growing up. Living just north of Boston, we spent many summers in and around the Massachusetts North Shore. I had heard the movie was sad, but didn't grasp just how sad it would be. One scene was particularly gut wrenching.
It IS a sad movie, and by the end, while there is some closure, you're left with the feeling that Lee Chandler, the main character, will never allow himself to or cannot move beyond the terrible tragedy in his life.
So not a feel good story where all the the loose ends are tied up, you can have a good cry and feel uplifted in the end. It's gritty; lots of FU's in the movie and dwelling on the sexual habits of 16 year olds. Am I that out of date that parents now accept their high school kids are having sex regularly?
One other thing, numerous flashbacks to set the back story, but definitely caused some confusion with the storyline.
Bottom line, this is a movie I would watch "on demand", at home. Why? Because I left the theater with a sad feeling and heavy heart. Was with some friends, and it took all of us a while to shake the depression. I'd rather be at home feeling that way, than out with friends to have a good time. While the scenery was very nostalgic, most of the film takes place in the winter months and just added to the chill of the movie.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I remember Ordinary People being so profoundly sad. Sophie's Choice.
Sounds like Manchester by the Sea strived for those kind of feelings - that was the essence of the story - and was successful.
Not a bad review by you. 
Very sad, and, in my opinion, over rated...The acting was good, but some ellements bothered me. I did not like the OVER dwelling on 16 year old sex, either.
As to the parental attitudes displayed, the boy's uncle knew about it, but part of the "joke" was that the kids were always trying to keep the girl's mother from finding out, so I don't know how much "acceptance" we were supposed to infer. If you're an "old fogey", I must be too, as found the film's "take" on these kids sex lives irresponsible and too cute by half. Frankly, I didn't like the nephew at all...I found him to an obnoxious smartass who was way too arrogant and disrrespectful of his uncle. Had I been Lee Chandler I'd probably have sluggd the kid. This isn't the first time I've been turned off to a movie, largely because of some noxious, disrespectful kid who is supposed to be "adorable". 
