June 27, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Manchester by the Sea

“Manchester by the Sea,” a film starring Casey Affleck as Lee and Lucas Hedges as his teenage nephew Patrick, is a heartbreaking exploration of grief.

Early on, Lee learns that his brother Joseph (Kyle Chandler) has died suddenly and as a result has to start taking care of his nephew. Lee is a janitor who lives by himself and tries to keep a low profile in Quincy, Massachusetts. Through flashbacks, we learn that he once was married to Randi (Michelle Williams), whom he had kids with.

Lee breaks the news to his nephew at the nephew’s hockey practice. Patrick is a confident, almost cocky adolescent, who is a jock and is used to getting his way. He is also balancing two girlfriends on the side. While some might find his behavior a bit off-putting, the way he conducted himself did not really bother me, as I found that his mindset is typical of teenagers. While most probably are not going back-and-forth with two romantic relationships simultaneously, his preoccupation with sexual matters, wanting to be part of a garage band, and partaking in sports all struck me as normal behavior for that age.

Understandably, things get off to a rocky start between uncle and nephew in their interactions together. It does not help matters that Lee, who has been staying with Patrick during this difficult time in Patrick’s town of Manchester, also in Massachusetts, wants the two of them to move back to Quincy. Patrick remarks that it would be a complete upheaval for him if he were to move to Quincy, as he would have to leave his friends behind and start all over. He adds that Lee could get a job as a janitor anywhere.

Michelle Williams makes a strong impression as Lee’s ex-wife in her limited screen time. The performance is raw, vulnerable, and reminiscent in ways of Williams’ work in the movie “Blue Valentine.”

Casey Affleck, meanwhile, gives a restrained, quietly understated performance of much power. He has been haunted for some time by a lapse in judgment he made one night that he has never been able to forgive himself for. Affleck makes this pain clearly felt in his mannerisms, how he carries himself, and his words.

Lucas Hedges as an adolescent going through unimaginable grief is a real discovery, giving a breakthrough performance that really resonates. The way he interacts with his uncle, his two female lovers, and his friends comes across as authentic and believable.

I found the music being played during an interrogation scene to be overbearing. Also, the flashbacks at times were not smoothly incorporated, so as a result they could be confusing.

The writing and directing are first-rate and the story despite its somber subject matter manages humorous moments, which helps balance out the downbeat nature of the narrative. No easy answers are provided in a picture with a realistic feel throughout.

SMS-manchester11316

Related Posts

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...

Cherished Culver City Ice Cream Vendor Abducted in Broad Daylight

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano’s Disappearance Led To Grassroots Action Ambrocio Lozano, also known in the neighborhood as Enrique, was abducted around...

Culver City Leaders Address Youth Safety Crisis After Teen’s Death, Gunfire at Vigil

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Leaders Respond Following Tragedy and Shooting at School Vigil Culver City officials convened a press conference Wednesday morning to confront...

Brentwood Home by Landry Design Group Wins Top National Architecture Award

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Landry Design Group Wins Gold Nugget Awards for Brentwood, Crestwood Projects Landry Design Group (LDG) earned two top honors at...

(Video) WISE & Healthy Aging Helps Loved Ones Boost Their Quality of Life

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs Advance the Dignity of Life for Older Adults See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs...

Masked Federal Agents Detain Iranian Asylum Seeker and Wife in Westwood

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

31-Year-Old Woman was Hospitalized After Possible Medical Emergency On Tuesday, June 24, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., near the...

Culver City Pride Rolls In with Sunset Ride and Rally June 28

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Celebrate With a 6-Mile Pride Ride and Free Block Party Culver City will mark its fifth annual Pride celebration on...

Los Angeles Leaders Push to Ban Masks for Federal Agents Amid Immigration Raids

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Concerns Grow Over Anonymous ICE and CBP Officers in Los Angeles   A growing coalition of California lawmakers and local leaders...

Squatter-Plagued Beverly Grove Buildings Could Be Razed After Hazard Cleanup

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Demolition of Three Abandoned Apartments May Begin in Two Weeks Three abandoned apartment buildings in Beverly Grove may soon be...

From Westwood to DTLA, Angelenos March Against Military Escalation in Iran

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Protestors Rally at the Westwood Federal Building This Weekend Following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related...

Overnight Traffic Stops in Culver City Lead to Felony Arrests, DUI Bust

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Culver City Police Nab Suspects Wanted for Burglary and Identity Theft Culver City police officers arrested three individuals in separate...

LAPD Sergeant Killed Assisting Crash Victims on 405 Freeway in Brentwood

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Tragic Early-Morning Collision Claims Two Lives, Including Veteran Sergeant Two people, including an LAPD sergeant, were killed early Monday in...

Recent Homebuyer Down Payments Slip for First Time in Nearly Two Years

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

April’s Median Down Payment Fell as Buyers Lean Toward Lower-Cost Homes The median down payment made by U.S. homebuyers dropped...

Del Rey Affordable Housing Project to Rise on Former Charter School Site

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Community Corp., Local Faith Group Team Up to Build 122 New Apartments Plans are moving forward for a new residential...