Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Stars	User	Rating
11	sellis	92 _91%
Can we start calling Lonergan a master? What to appreciate : Casey Affleck's performance. The restraint, the internalization. The characters, with mannerisms like shallow water above vulnerability and pain. But the water never dissipates. The details : three framed photos we don't need to see to understand. The meat in the freezer. The window views. Things that blew me away: the dream at the end. The final shot. Most profound line of dialogue in 2016 : "I can't beat it." A fleeting masterpiece.
7	Alex Watkins	4 _70%
Not all wounds eventually heal, especially when you keep picking at them. Lee's inability to forgive himself for the sins and mistakes of his youth keeps him stuck in a holding pattern, forever at arm's length to those who would otherwise embrace him. It's necessarily a sad film, but in a way that feels open to the possibility of love and happiness, even if those remain out of reach for those unwilling to grasp at them. Affleck has never been better.
7	Groovy_Souls	90 _90%
Casey Affleck shines with a very subtle brilliance, putting him at a high contender for Best Actor. Manchester By the Sea is pretty well-shot and pretty well-written, but all-in-all its a vehicle for its simply stunning cast. Is it Oscar-bait? Yeah... but its damn good Oscar-bait.
7	KasperL	85 _93%
A kick in the guts. The story structure (flashbacks triggered by places and memories) is elegant, and Affleck - who owns the role as a chronically devastated wreck of a man - almost surpasses his work in 'The Assassination of Jesse James...'. By the way, if 'Manchester by the Sea' has you buttered up for even more pain and awkwardness and raw emotion, then look no further than Lonergan's previous work, 'Margaret'.
6	frederic_g54	7 _57%
Much like Lonergan's debut, this heartfelt story is filled with authentic characters and dialogue that resonate with nuance and understated pathos. Its misplaced focus, though, makes the film fall short of its intended impact, favouring Affleck's relationship with his bratty nephew and departed brother - a totally wasted Kyle Chandler - rather than his estranged ex-wife. At only 20-odd minutes, I feel Shawn Christensen's similarly themed 'Curfew' attempted the same to a more successful degree.
6	Leonardis	95 _86%
This is actually really well-made. Casey Affleck is obviously the biggest stand-out of the cast. He was very convincing as a depressed individual dealing with a rough past and events to a point where I was completely convinced he was depressed. Hands down one of his best performances. Lucas Hedges was pretty good, and the rest of the cast was convincing too. Lonergan is a very talented director as well. Overall a very realistic and honest movie. I would say it's at least worth looking into.
5	Darren	92 _94%
Every ounce of dialogue is important and feels so natural There's a moment in the film where they've just returned from the father's funeral and Lucas Hedges' friends are fighting about Star Trek,Lucas gf interrupts them and says do you think that's appropriate to be talking about now? and Hedges response is perfect"I like Star Trek".Cuz as someone who lost a parent at an early age,sometimes all you wanna do is fuck around with friends and not focus on it.Call it a defense mechanism who cares.
5	P u l p	84 _92%
I can't believe Casey and Ben Affleck are brothers.
5	Suture Self	8 _81%
A sad story about a man who can't overcome an event in his past that haunts him, even when presented with opportunities for renewal. Despite the fact that it's really sad and makes you feel crushingly depressed, there are several moments of levity interspersed throughout, and the tone of the film is really down-to-earth and warmhearted. It also does flashbacks really well, which is a tricky thing to pull off. Normally flashbacks annoy me, but in this film they're seamless.
5	jthusky	97 _99%
I'm from Massachusetts, born and raised. I went through trauma in Massachusetts. It is impossible for a movie to be more accurate about going through trauma in Massachusetts.
5	Judge Holden	6 _81%
A smart, bleak and grounded character study that eschews cliches on all fronts -- structure, narration and character. I do not agree that the script is tonally inconsistent or lacking a climax. The dry humour never overwhelms the growing sense of loss and frustration, all of which lingers long after the credits roll; and Lonergan never betrays the story by commuting his main character's self-imposed prison sentence through the discovery of some hidden path to redemption.
5	bof	84 _91%
9 Hollywood directors out of 10 (and 99 producers out of a 100) would have fouled this up, would have snuck in a redemptive arc, a big emotional reclamation scene, etc. Lonergan isn't afraid to put stasis on screen, and Affleck walks around like a spring wound so tight it's long since rusted shut.
5	cagedwisdom	100 _90%
I had to watch this twice to fully appreciate it. One of the most nuanced films I can recall and Casey Affleck's performance in this is one of the best I've ever seen. For those who weren't fully captivated by this film: try watching it again. It'll get ya.
4	krf7	92 _93%
The scene with the baby carriage was incredible, the incredible emotional weight of both characters just all over their faces.
4	djross	65 _70%
Front-loading the story with so many tragedies and melodramas is at odds with the goal of (seeking and gaining approval for) quietly observing subtle details, avoiding contrived redemptions, and so on. At its best when reflecting on contemporary intergenerational relations: the approach here is gentler than MARGARET, and so perhaps less penetrating, but not without insight. In short, has something of the odour of a "worthy film", but falls at the upper end of that particular Hollywood spectrum.
4	guy piranha	80 _89%
its lack of catharsis is certainly not for everyone, and more than once it veers somewhat off course and out of focus, leaving more interesting characters underused while needlessly elaborating on trivia. but the core remains intact, finishing on a rare note of cinematic honesty: some things you can not come back from. p.s.: if you ever feel like punching some dude in the face, new england obviously has no concept of assault charges.
4	loc42	80 _79%
About the loss of tradition & sense of measure on how to behave in human relations. Every1 is ignorant on problematic ethical issues and can't deliver the "law" neither a sense of what is "right". They rely on materialistic-egoistic principles avoiding sacrifice & solidarity which became our modern reality: we completely lost the ability to act morally & traditionally, think about nephew's materialist apathy, Lee's escapism & Randi's emotional weaknes. Very bleak & strong in its naturalism.
3	WWallce4prez	90 _95%
Manchester by the Sea is impressive, in part, because of what it doesn't do. It doesn't delve into depression porn. It doesn't seek satisfying redemption for its characters. It doesn't make Affleck self destruct. It doesn't fall to dramatic monologues to make its waves. Lonergan has proven his talent in the past, but this latest work is so quietly moving in a way that is depressingly foreign to most films in recent past.
3	getmoney	99 _99%
Haven't felt as in the mindset of a character while watching a movie in a long time
3	CoinQuatro	95 _98%
Definitely earned its MTV video music award for Tomaso Albinoni's Adagio in G minor.
3	patman	81 _94%
An incredible, raw and powerful story. It's so beautifully constructed in the way it patiently keeps adding complexity and understanding to a seemingly straight-forward story. The characters are both strong and genuine, elevated by the quietly and affecting performances from the actors, especially Affleck is amazing and a well deserved nomination for an Oscar. It truly delivers some sucker-punching emotional scenes, but can't help but struggle through other parts of the story.
3	mattorama12	80 _88%
Lonergan's script unfolds at just the right pace--it's neither confusing nor spoon fed and we understand a little more about all of the characters with each scene. And while it's certainly heavy material, it deftly includes humor and levity in a way that feels much more natural and realistic than the way most directors would have handled the story.
3	Dean Franz	80 _79%
The younger actors take it down a notch. I don't blame them one bit- Those are hard scenes to pull off and even more so with the lack of experience inherent to actors of their age. In any other movie they'd be great, but this movie has Affleck and Williams and THAT scene. Fuck. I've been listening to "If you wanna be happy" by Jimmy Soul for the last month just to avoid killing myself and spawning more movies like Manchester by the Sea. Wait... would that be so bad? (Jimmy Soul says it would.)
3	hellboy76	73 _89%
Lonegan remains adept at mixing in humor with his tragedy. Affleck is very convincing as a broken man dealing with even more dumped onto him. It feels real and believable and that in itself is an achievement above many.
3	bakcheia	85 _77%
White Dudes with Unconfronted Trauma, Anger, and Sadness Repressed Under Layers of Masculine-Performance and Stoicism
3	BlakeEngel	10 _93%
Lonergan finally matures? Rewatching his previous movies, I see that Manchester was better than I realized. The flashback structure actually works because it's not about exposition, it's about putting us in Lee's (Affleck) perspective. Brutally emotional, again jumping between random moments that don't always seem to arc, but add up in a way that more accurately reflects life. Performances are beautiful, direction is straightforward and works. Can't wait to see what he does next.
3	Pawned	90 _91%
It was so fucking emotional. I literally cried. Do not miss the movie which gives Casey Affleck a Academy Award winning performance.
3	SirStuckey	95 _97%
A triumphant look at guilt and grief and being unable to forgive oneself. Affleck leads a wonderful cast of people doing fantastic work. Every character feels lived in and realistic. While The overwhelming amounts of sadness are counterbalanced with some well placed humor, the story cares more about staying true to the characters instead of adding feel good moments or gigantic character shifts to manipulate audiences, or awards voters, into feeling good.
3	feublo	80 _57%
This film really surprised me with it's attention to detail and ability to not throw away such a moving script for some sort of fascinating relief we seek from tragedy. The characters can become real personable when you realize the emotional toll this movie has and it is certainly a remarkable Casey performance.
3	Hofschneider	72 _36%
I read a lot since I saw it and I see what the reviewers saw intellectually. But never did I see it emotionally. Maybe the movie never had a change with me because of the uniformly praise and the fact, that it always looked like the ultimate movie of white privilege (which it isn't and yet...) For me MbtS is a showoff of a movie that tries very hard to score with its natural tone that, ironically, comes from a place of pure intellect and calculation. Also: It's not THAT smart.
3	twincinema	85 _85%
A film about grief that is frustrating in the lack of communication between characters. The scenes between Lee and Patrick come to no understanding, solely because of Lee's inability to escape his pain. It is a film about grief that slowly builds and builds, but never gives the satisfying release of closure.
3	Malcym	9 _97%
Magnificent, one of the finest American films in a few years.The cast is flawless but Affleck's performance is one for the books. One moment, featuring Michelle Williams, slammed into me like a bullet train somewhere in the middle of the picture and left me physically shaking. In fact, I warn you now - avoid spoilers for this beautiful film.
2	amazedemon	60 _21%
Affleck really captures his character, but Manchester by the Sea remains a dull, dreary affair. I never actually came to care for any of the characters, and the entire story felt pointless to me. As a character study of grief and the inability to move on, this film works, but it is not interesting, and it is not entertaining.
2	Yiannos	60 _47%
Lonergan is obviously talented, but his insistence on dedramatization to subtly subvert expectations with Manchester ends up producing a two dimensional work that is contrived and too eager to please. Affleck is very good as an emotionally wounded man prone to aggressive outbursts: we sense his rage and feel his pain, but Lonergan quickly spins his wheels after establishing the major character arcs and allows Affleck's listlessness to define the film's path. Not a wise move.
2	susie-mauve	88 _75%
Touching, to say the least. It's a beautiful and realistic portrayal of grief, pain, anguish and regret. Michelle WIlliams is simply amazing, whilst Casey Affleck can really pull off the emotionally wrecked man. I'll be keeping an eye on Lonergan, this film revealed some pretty big potential.
2	shalev	83 _69%
A solid relentless drama, with some strong moments in it, but still something was missing for this to be forged into a cohesive fleshed out human story.
2	Filligan	89 _75%
I have a soft spot for dramatic stories that revolve heavily around grief and that approach their subject matter with the highest respect for realism. It would've been tantalizing for Lonergan to Hollywoodize the ending, but he stays honest to the brilliant characters he's crafted. Casey Affleck -- I mean, wow. When an actor can deliver an emotional gut-punch with just his face, it's worth a standing ovation. The whole cast is great, in fact, and the writing is incredible.
2	VinegarBob	80 _79%
Unsentimental character study of a lost soul unable to reconcile his past or move on with his life. Many of his problems result from a self-centred carelessness he's either unaware of or unable to come to terms with. Either way, he's not an easy character to like, but more importantly he seems authentic, thanks to a terrifically earthy and naturalistic script by director Lonergan, which provides the driving force behind Casey Affleck's amazing central performance.
2	stuie299	90 _90%
A hard film to rate. If I was a parent I would have been absolutely gutted and given this an automatic 100. Watched it with my mom who's aunt faced a similar fate to Affleck's three kids and she was in tears. The thing about this one though, is just how accurate it's depictions are about how men deal with emotions. The cast is brilliant. Affleck and Hedges in particular. The whole thing down to setting is just super realistic. Not my favorite this year, but still a very worthy Oscar contender.
2	digsf	92 _96%
Painful, heartbreaking. The wallow stays with you and it follows. Great performances. No bad words to say about the film.
2	d_r_e_s_	4 _90%
Maybe somewhat predictable but it slowly unravels into a very honest and open story. Powerperformance by Affleck, but both Hedges, Williams and Chandler delivers great performances as well. The directing is solid, but the real beauty is in the editing. The flashbacks are brilliantly intertwined and contributes excellently to the deeper and deeper hole of emotions that is being dug. *Very Good
2	LookJabba...	9 _91%
Manchester by the Sea is certainly one of the best films of 2016 and I hope it receives the recognition that it deserves. Casey Affleck gives the performance of his career and the scenes that he shares with the underused Michelle Williams are truly heartbreaking. Lucas Hedges is a worthy mention too and he has a bright future ahead of him. There are subplots and characters that I wanted to see explored further but overall Ken Longergan crafts an incredibly raw and brutally real experience.
2	AAAutin	80 _90%
Good grief. (IT'S A TRAGEDY, CHARLIE BROWN!)
2	VengefulKBM	80 _75%
There is a high point just under halfway through this movie that is so good, so effective, that a lot of the remainder of the movie kind of pales in comparison. My one complaint about this otherwise fantastic movie. Casey Affleck may be getting the bulk of the praise, and rightly so, but I'm also really happy to see Lucas Hedges get an Oscar nomination - for me, it's his performance that stole the show.
2	Matija D	86 _89%
This one is a very strong and raw life drama with excellent Casey Affleck who is thrilling in his main role. Even though its over 2 hours long, time passes quickly with quality movies like this one.
2	amirmovie	83 _70%
It has a strong emotional impact, which is implied very gentle and gradually in the plot, which is fare enough.
2	glumpy_99	84 _70%
Uneven drama ultimately succeeds as well as it does thanks to the performances; Hedges is a revelation, bringing depth and nuance to a teenage brat, but it is Affleck and Williams' searing, painful and pained performances which are the centrepiece - Affleck's intensely contained performance is particularly discomforting to witness. Unfortunately the dovetailing narrative style only works fitfully; sometimes revealing narrative exposition in too obvious ways.
2	Ocelot	90 _97%
the most Boston movie ever made. staggering, stunning, hauntingly beautiful. time has only made me grow fonder of its brilliance.
2	TheDiceman	85 _98%
Brilliant.
2	msprague	90 _96%
So much sadness and heartbreak. Casey Affleck is very good in this.
2	PeaceAnarchy	90 _94%
A superb performance from Affleck, and matching performances from the rest of the cast, help bring the emotional side of the script to life, a powerful exploration of dealing with guilt and responsibility and the various social and emotional weights attached to that. The real beauty in the film is that, as heavy as the material can be, it never turns to melodrama always resting on a slightly morbid but humane sense of humour to ease the heaviness without undermining it.
2	Zealot185	94 _95%
Are assholes assholes because they've been through shitty times, because they are surrounded by shitty influences, or because they grew up in Boston? No clear answer is given, and the non-linear storytelling makes the search for that answer all the more profound and enigmatic.
2	Neonman	72 _43%
Rather well made from scene to scene, especially as these scenes are often quite short and add up all these impressions to the overall film, though the film seems to eventually stumble to its conclusion, offering only an experience of watching people being miserable without much point or catharsis -- if I weren't so partial to watching people acting miserable, I'd give this a lower score.
2	Charlie	90 _96%
Affleck is unbelievable. You can literally feel what he is going through. Lonergan made something special here that clearly deserves all the attention it gets.
2	le mami	70 _66%
This is very much an okay movie. Performances are in general pretty good except Casey Affleck who gives his best performance since The Assaniation of Jesse James. However story is unremarkable and filled with cliches. It is supposed be a touching story but it did not give me that feeling when I left the theatre even if I liked the story and film in general.
2	Beer94	75 _86%
So raw yet nuanced, this is such an elegantly structured tapestry of emotions and grief and Affleck truly shines and is worthy of the Oscar nod. With the long running time, you'd think there'd be pacing issues, but I became so enthralled in the story that I wanted certain subplots to be even more fleshed out and explored. However, those long sequences punctuated with lingering pauses give the whole story more weight and make it painstakingly real.
2	BasedOne	9 _85%
Wow.
1	peyrin	70 _56%
A bumpy but very much realistic emotional trajectory given a lot more weight with the surprisingly fleshed-out backdrop and great acting all across the board. Needs rewatch
1	cetincelik	90 _91%
Ağır dram.
1	ptravers2	8 _98%
You can't really prepare yourself for the emotional powerhouse that is Manchester by the Sea. And you shouldn't let big-mouth critics and friends tell you too much about what's ahead in writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's transcendent benchmark. No film this year has moved me more with its humor, heart and humanity.
1	kNwsVXgzm	7 _67%
Affleck does an awesome job portraying the kind of masculinity that is bred in a small town, and the way men are supposed to push down any feeling but anger. His relationship with Hedges is very natural, too. Wonderful direction, but the script didn't do alot for me
1	Lightning17	82 _95%
Manchester by the Sea is bolstered by strong and brutally honest storytelling that takes you into the tragic journey of the characters lives. Very real performances and an excellent script make it a wonderful, reflective film.
1	halilky	96 _95%
A superb movie about an introverted person who gives up on living. The film deserves to be highly appreciated.
1	CalumRhys	86 _61%
With a plot that dashes backwards and forwards, Lonergan has crafted an intense and almost shocking plot that gradually builds Affleck's character through the clever use of flashbacks and disguised thrills. Affleck has slowly been proving himself as an acting body to be commended, and this film has finally given us his most complex performance to date, that of a man on a path of self-inflicted emotional trauma. A film that hits hard and leaves a lasting impression.
1	magdabag	98 _99%
Definitely my favorite out of the Oscar movies this past year. Casey Affleck won a well-deserved Oscar for he was not only VERY depressed in this movie, he was also caring and empathetic. Honestly one of my favorite movies. I thought all of the acting was phenomenal. I don't really see how Michelle Williams was nominated. Yes, she is very talented actress and she was really good in this role, but she was legit in the movie like 35 mins. I honestly loved it.
1	FoxyRussian	95 _90%
A beautiful, sad, funny drama. It feels real, it balances the sadness with the humor. It doesn't spoon feed the plot and leaves some stuff up to the viewer to figure out. Casey Affleck delivers a performance of a lifetime. I didnt see him, I instead saw his character.
1	gynalm	85 _95%
Although the pace is a little bit slow it is a great and unusual drama. Excellent acting and directing. One of the best movies of the year
1	PUNQ	70 _96%
Quiet drama dealing with sadness and guilt. They could have brought a lot more life to this besides the random snippets out outrage, but the quirky emotional scenes brings it to life and makes it one of the stronger dramas from 2016, which is one of the reasons it got all those Oscar nominations. It's up there, but I prefer more noise to my movies.
1	agraham	85 _42%
Great acting, great characters. Definitely one of my favorite slice of life like movies.
1	luord	73 _77%
It could've been shorter but it's difficult to argue with the incredible performances.
1	IeuanDP	85 _86%
Genuinely really moved by this. It's rare to see unresolved grief portrayed in such a lucid way. The shades of someone so broken and wound up with tension are captured perfectly, so every bit of emotion that breaks through the cracks feels organic. The non-linearity of the storytelling doesn't feel at all manipulative either - it's all raw and grounded in everyday life.
1	90sCoffee	90 _98%
There's no point in me reviewing a movie with as much emotional weight as this because I can't put it into words. It managed to be sad without being depressing and holding on to a decent bit of charm & comedy and being very human, just a very beautiful film.
1	Lonewolf2003	82 _87%
Lonergan again shows he is one of the best writers of human interaction in cinema. Every character feels truly developed, every conversation is completely natural and realistic. Casey, after some already amazing turns, now really takes away any doubt he's among the best actors working in cinema today. The music was weirdly manipulative though
1	anilscn	67 _74%
Şu sikik filme herkes yüksek puanı vermeyi durduracak mı yoksa bileklerimi mi keseyim. Yeter artık ya.
1	rebeccalex	85 _85%
Great film, the entire 2 hours felt completely natural and real to me.
1	torbern	85 _73%
Beautifully-crafted. It ebbs and flows from present, to past, and back again--sometimes just for a single shot--in order to painstakingly reveal the depths of one man's brokenness. Casey Affleck is completely captivating and, like the film itself, often startlingly funny. The supporting cast is excellent as well.
1	Ippei	80 _86%
It's a film that you want to keep going because it painfully and accurately reflects a "moment-in-life", and like life itself, it's a work in progress and you don't really get a conclusion, just hope. The performances are also incredible here, particularly Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams (but there are no bad performances). They give such raw and honest performances, and helped by the script and setting, it's just a terrific film.
1	toddsalter	91 _80%
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the tragedies that could befall us at any moment. And that reminder can spur inspiration and hope.
1	jacobclark12	94 _92%
Manchester by the Sea is one of the most emotionally powerful films of the decade. Kenneth Lonergan paints a realistic portrait of grief that numbs the soul while also showing that getting over loss is not a necessity in the grieving process. Affleck, Williams, and Hedges give some of the subtlest yet brilliant performances of their respective careers and have great chemistry on screen. I could have watched another three movies about this story, and with its length that is saying something.
1	JaiGuy	85 _83%
This is probably my second favourite movie of 2016 after Everybody Wants Some. Casey Affleck was perfect, and the story was told masterfully. The kid Patrick (Lucas Hedges) will definitely get the statue for best supporting actor.
1	deep_green	80 _86%
A story very attentive to building through a slow, methodical process of development, in the characters, setting, and sense of history. Lonergan's filmmaking is extremely sophisticated here, most vividly evinced in flashback sequences that, if I may be bold, feel as fluid as a memory really is. In pieces, or as synopsis, there is not much to this film, but the total sum is strong and affecting.
1	JSchlansky	91 _93%
A lot funnier than I expected
1	afifchoirul	80 _35%
Awesome life drama. Thats a great performance right there, when it is so compelling, so real, not exagerrating, Casey Affleck lifts the whole movie my opinion. Well deserved Oscar.
1	flubbin	91 _94%
Beautiful, depressing, and real. The performances are fantastic across the board. In particular, one scene between Affleck and Williams stands out as one of the most genuine and crushing scenes that I've seen in a movie in a long time.
1	Armilio	65 _44%
There are great scenes, like the meeting between the two lovers in the middle of the street, where no words was right and there was too much things to say, or no things to say at all. But in the end it's a moody film about a little common folk sad story, if we needed one more. I grow up being apathetic with that.
1	okayfrog	60 _44%
Manchester by the Sea deals in extremes a bit too much for my liking. Scenes of aloofness and hilarity are juxtaposed with somber scenes of melancholy. It serves a purpose, but it also does not feel engrossing; I feel like I am watching Casey Affleck in a film rather than Lee attempting to handle the death of his brother. Overall an alright film.
1	War Machine	53 _13%
IdontgiveafuckwhatyoudomrsolsenLOL+brodiemadeCguardian+outdrunkbuyingshitfirehousekillkids+hesetfireplacetoheatupcuzfurnacefucksuphersinus+halfwaycantrememberifputscreenonfire-figureokay+tookcopguntrykillself+nephew2timing+excall-preg+caseywannamoveboston-nephlikenamylife-ujanitorlol+wantstaywithmom+Cna+shetoochristian+exbreakdownathim-CPbloodreact+sleptstoveon+gotfamfriendadopt
1	AgentSnipe	86 _92%
I think its a shame that Casey Affleck tainted this film by being such a bad person off-camera. It's really solid film-making. The movie is tragic, but there also some very light, human moments that prevent it from being a total slog. My point is, the movie doesn't rest on Casey Affleck's shoulders. He got most of the praise, but the movie is very good outside of what he brought to it.
1	3dRevelation	76 _69%
I might have hyped this one up too much, but I thought this was a good not great drama. Affleck is good (maybe not award winning) as is Hedges. Michelle Williams steals the scenes she is in. Lonergan's cameo is funny. Has incredibly sad moments, but also funny ones.
1	Icarus	89 _86%
Once again, Lonergan gives us a grown up portrait of human emotion and psychology. His attentiveness to the details of the characters varying responses to life's difficulties creates an engrossing and moving film. I also appreciated the way Lonergan was able to take a difficult and sad premise, and fill it with moments of levity, Williams is great in limited screen time, as is Affleck whose largely internalized performance shows us the tiny movements of this grieving character.
1	Kortee	90 _97%
There were heaps of death/relationship indie dramas over the past 10 years that were as good as this one. If this year wasn't so blank when it comes to Oscars, "Manchester by the sea" would've swept the Sundances and that would've be it.
1	janus	75 _64%
Somber, grounded middle-class drama that juggles a lot and makes it look easy... but not too easy. Some structural tricks with lots of flashbacks and no notable climax. Avoids easy categorization as about fatherhood, about male bonding, about the grief process; it's all of those, but much more. Affleck's role is a capable iteration of film's male archetype du jour: a subdued, staid, almost autistic demeanor, but prone to outbursts of violence or extreme emotion.
1	chemical404	58 _54%
Very good writing, especially considering that it is not an adaptation. Good acting - Affleck shines in his role. But sheesh, what's the big deal?! Very demanding (had to make countless cigarette breaks watching it, just couldn't hold my attention) and not especially rewarding family drama.
1	Ofterdingen	63 _60%
The film goes completely overboard when explaining Casey Afflecks past. A lesser tragedy would have worked just as well and it left me completely cold. Not even Euripides would create a tragedy on this level. He would know better.
1	Timon88	90 _96%
Et tu, Lonergan, with the flashbacks? At least the technique isn't used as ineptly as most use it. Otherwise, stunningly, gut-wrenchingly beautiful. Affleck plays a more damaged variation of Mark Ruffalo's character in "You Can Count on Me" and gets everything absolutely right. If you like being made to think and feel, just watch it. I gotta say, I kinda enjoyed the fact that almost every female character--except the Asian doctor--is essentially an irritating twat.
1	Luna6ix	79 _69%
2016's Oscar bait. Sure, it's a decent movie, but it's also a little slow and just not super memorable. The story is compelling, the acting is good, but underneath it's got an indescribable bland quality that holds it back. I feel like Affleck's superhuman stoicism makes it awful hard to relate to him here.
1	KMcNeil	9 _94%
"There's nothing there."
1	Ross	75 _78%
This is a harsh and tragic tale that is bordering on being too sad to truly move you. The main draw is the great subdued performances.
1	cgcore	72 _83%
neat quiet drama.. beautifully written and directed. not much to say about affleck. marvellous.
1	Vassago	86 _93%
Casey Affleck was amazing. I like his acting in general, but this one stands out.
1	omgfridge	6 _53%
Just did not resonate with me. Don't get me wrong, it was decent but I have no desire to talk about or watch it again.
1	prowler	77 _78%
gutpunchingly good
1	AFlickering	4 _59%
lonergan never really seems fully comfortable doing anything cinematically beyond just staying out of the way and letting his actors flourish (iow he needs to learn his limitations), but he's among the finest dramatists you yanks have got and i'm grateful he's chosen this medium to tell his stories. a thousand small details here add up to so much by the end, and the way he resists easy catharsis at every turn is super refreshing. don't get me wrong, this is no MARGARET, but it's weighty shit.
1	evrana	64 _35%
An interesting, moody piece about how tragedy pervades our lifes and how sometimes it is impossible to leave it behind. It has all around great acting and Affleck definitely deserved the Oscar. I can see the merit in Lonergan's movies; but they don't talk to me much honestly. I enjoyed Mol's character too. It shows how fickle beauty is; Mol was like personification of sexiness in Broadwalk Empire and by just changing the demeanor you can create the dullest person from the same material.
1	cowfrappe	81 _90%
Superb performances overshadow the filmmaking in this gripping drama about dealing with loss.
1	bizort	80 _79%
Ultimately leaves more questions than answers but very good performances in a story that should probably be a bit shorter
1	Ytadel	5 _56%
Just a brutally dire experience; the cinematic equivalent of seeing a dog get hit by a car in front of its owner for two-plus hours. Now to be certain it has naturalistic dialogue, lived-in authentic performances and keen enough observations on grief, loss, and human nature. But like a well-performed root canal that doesn’t mean I ever want to experience it again. Chubby Matthew Broderick shows up 100 minutes in in a sheer “WTF it’s Matthew Broderick” moment of immersion-shattering.
1	robe	75 _69%
a bit odd
1	wayofthegun	70 _41%
Three or four scenes elevate this from mediocre to pretty good.
1	Moribunny	60 _54%
Lonergan is an intelligent and sophisticated filmmaker, and he likes to serve a thick gravy of comedy on a bed of tragedy, which can be sad and funny but often also jarring. For me, his particular brand of tragicomedy worked better in "Margaret". "Manchester" is overlong and meandering, and inconsistent in tone and in degree of sincerity. Cutting some of it out might have served it better.
1	astrakhan	82 _85%
Moving drama with a very real feel. Superb acting all around, especially from Affleck, who has one of the meatiest roles in recent memory. The non-linear structure threw me at first but I soon found it to be excellently handled. The story had a slow pace but nothing dragged on too long. Lonergan has hundreds of acute social observations and is adept at writing them into his scenes. A movie that makes you think about your own life, and who around you might be carrying large burdens.
1	fenixdown	76 _57%
The life and times of angry, depressed jerks.
1	mkellins	60 _54%
There's a lot going on in the film, and the somewhat convoluted timeline doesn't help. Pruning the story a bit could have made the film and characters easier to relate to. Overall it is a nice film but sadly a lot of it felt rushed and shallow.
1	dulbeb	100 _96%
As lovely as it is heartbreaking.
1	chmul_cr0n	74 _74%
pretty heartbreaking
1	lena_c	5 _92%
All movies can't be the same, but I wish that some others would learn something from this very authentic dialogue, honest emotions, sense of situation and at times very real but yet awkward moments. No cheesy "Hollywood-feel" in this one. Awesome performances. *Very good
1	Daph_NL	40 _17%
Manchester By The Sea was boring. It was too long, too uneventful. They used the flashbacks for the audience to get to know the main character. Apparently they didn't think it was necessary for him to speak at all. If you want to make a good movie, don't do it like that. It is annoying. 40/100.
1	ericambler	75 _60%
The old-fashioned domestic melodrama of MANCHESTER BY THE SEA succeeds on the strength of Casey Affleck's nuanced performance. Writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's love of dramatic assemblage has a tendency to amble off into the weeds, but Affleck is always there to provide a solid emotional center, despite the inaccessibility that defines his character. His stoic sadness commands attention and empathy in a movie that constantly tries to out-grief the previous scene.
1	damil	80 _90%
So much of its strength is built on emotion, and that's difficult to articulate. But yeah, it's a very good, interesting rumination on grief and parenthood and more. It's a gorgeous-looking film that really captures its environment. Affleck is excellent, and this has got to be the best performance I've ever seen from him. The rest of the cast are great, too. I don't know what else to say about it, except if you want a real, honest, human movie, you would do well to seek this out.
1	NothingsGood	80 _89%
They should've replaced Kyle Chanlder with Ben Affleck. That morgue scene in the hospital would've been hella sick!
1	hajikarimi	90 _59%
Very bitter super sad
1	BeautyBliss	85 _79%
Affleck deserved the Oscar 100%. One of the most depressing movies you've likely seen lately.
1	auhasarderik	9 _91%
His brother had faith in him, when he had completely lost it, and that saved him. 'You do know we're christians, right?'. This calls for a rewatch.
1	burkayadalig	94 _94%
Affleck is shining in this elegant, beautifully written drama
1	Bown	88 _88%
One of the all-time great sad white people movies. The whole movie is just full of extremely real, human moments that are simultaneously amusing and heartbreaking, like the wheels on the gurney. Also contains at least three of the best performances of the year, with Affleck escaping into a role more than I ever knew he could. Perhaps needed a little trimming, but otherwise an absolute triumph.
1	PetrosTser	60 _40%
With an interesting first and an increasingly redundant last half, it's an uneven experience, definitely brought down by the length and the screenwriting inadequacies but vindicated by the genuine emotion and intentions. The reckless abandon with which Lonergan initially moves from subplot to subplot ends up substituted by filler shots and a stagnant, even repetitive storyline. Eventually the faithfully stoic mood seemed both a strength and a weakness, some tense moments the definite highlight.
1	St. Berna	85 _82%
Bir insanın hayatta yaşayabileceği en büyük acıyı yaşamış, nefes alan ölü bir adamın hikayesini anlatan sade, soğuk, gerçekçi, iç burkan bir film. 8 verecektim elim gitmedi. Güzel film.
1	bentien	70 _75%
Should have been so much better. The acting is perfect, and the atmosphere is just right, but it could have done without painting with such broad brushes.
1	mandy	8 _92%
Slow but powerful drama. Casey Affleck oozes pain and sadness, but it is never overplayed and there is no fix, so this is a hard watch.
1	Cinema_Asia	85 _92%
How much pain can one man endure in one lifetime and how can he recover? That's a question that's proposed in this character study and don't expect any resolution to this bittersweet character study. Casey Affleck and the entire cast turns in memorable performances of a lifetime. The first reaction to the setting is to roll your eyes considering an Affleck is involved. The entire coastline is a character and a poignant note to this tale. Casey Affleck is without a doubt the more talented.
1	deaddilly	80 _72%
Impressively down-to-earth for something so heavy-handed. You can mostly credit Casey Affleck, who is perfect here. My one gripe would be that everything seemed to wrap up all too suddenly for most characters.
1	Gideon	2 _59%
Overlong, overrated, rudderless, unengaging and a total borefest. Skip if your time is precious.
1	Dunder74	8 _86%
sets and follows through, rich with naunce and carried by affleck expertly. (i hope he didn't do it. i won't google anything.)
1	Judo Koala	86 _94%
A rare film that intelligently and delicately captures the elusive, intangible, and ever-perplexing emotion of grief and the equally perplexing manner by which to handle it. Its gloomy tone and bittersweet progression serve well to handle a narrative that, in any incapable pair of hands, otherwise runs the risk of being overly maudlin. The final product is instead an uncomfortably authentic testament to the inner turmoil that eats away at one when left unaddressed. Surpassed my expectations.
1	YSinq	76 _81%
-Caseys performance +Story +Style

Average Percentile 71.55% from 3596 Ratings