"Manchester By The Sea" (2016)

It occurred to me that you could watch this movie and then "Nobody's Fool" (1994) and be perfectly content with the maladjusted townie who lives ib quiet tragedy. In fact Casey Affleck's Lee Chandler is pretty much Paul Newman's Sully many decades later.

This story is about a depressed loner who can't cope with a past tragedy. He works as a handyman to get by, but in reality it just enough to pay rent and get drunk. I've known too many people who live this way. Though more out of despair than tragedy. That comes later. When Lee learns of his brother's sudden death he doesn't react how we believe he should. In fact, no one does because people tend to react to how you act. He's a void. His brother left behind a teenage son. Lee is named the guardian since the mother is deemed irresponsible. Does he take this task to heart? Well, not if you've been a loner desperate to numb yourself from emotion. What follows, depending on your stance for "Hollywood" type movies is up to you. This is a gritty emotiobal, yet humorous depiction of a hard removed man. Incapable of even pretending he is interested in life. Does that sound like you will get redemption?

Lee isn't an original character. Nor is he interesting. That's where "Nobody's Fool" did it right. Sully's ability to recognize his irresponsibilities redeems him. But maybe that will be in hindsight. The nephew/ward is a very independent small town worldly teen. Nothing like the 16 year olds I grew up with. Does he even need a guardian? How many scenes donwe really need of Lee being bothered by life before you scream "we get it!"

There are great moments in this movie. But it is slice of life with no real reason to sit through. It really feels like a bunch of different movies put together, which makes me wonder which one are the critics gushing over.

As a strange anomaly to a simple story told through screen..it wouldn't surprise me if they adapt this to stage. Much like "Fences" it is a lot of exposition. But unlike "Fences" which at least had a point, this movie is so anemic to emotion you aren't exactly exhilerated with an opinion.