Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Manchester By The Sea (2016)

What is it about? 

An uncle is asked to take care of his nephew after his brother's death, while coming to grips with his own issues. 

Who is in it? 

Casey Affleck - Lee Chandler 

Kyle Chandler - Joe Chandler 

Michelle Williams - Randi Chandler


Favorite Scene: 

While walking, Lee runs into Randi who wants to apologize and make up for the past. The two have a weird but trying embrace before Lee bows out because he's not ready to deal with it all. 

Favorite Quote: 

"I can't beat it. I can't beat it. I'm sorry. 

Review: 

I think I may have had too much of an expectation for this film AFTER The Oscars. And can you blame me? Casey Affleck won a big time Oscar for the role. Regardless, Manchester By The Sea was a really, really good film. And yes, the tremendous acting carried it. 

The best part about MBTS is the authenticity of the characters. All of them are so real, so deep, so through in the complexities of the situation and their lives. Especially, how they each deal with the situation that is presented to them. This is especially enriched once the flashbacks of a horrific day comes is unveiled, and you gain understanding of what makes Lee so troubled, and in some ways, how you root for his overall growth. 

And as mentioned, there is the acting. The obvious - yes, Casey Affleck was tremendous in his role as Lee. However, for some reason, I felt that Michelle Williams was fantastic in her short spurts, and that Lucas Hedges really brought the film to another level in his role as Patrick. And as always, I have to show love to my Friday Night Lights alums - Kyle Chandler is boss. 

My only gripe? The ending felt flat. Just me. But the film just felt like it hung there after the credits started to roll. 

Overall, Manchester By The Sea was fantastic. The acting alone is worth the watch. 

Review: 4.5/5
Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...
Read more

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Hello, I Must Be Going (2012)

What is it about? A woman moves back in with her parents following a shocking divorce. An unlikely affair with a younger guy revives her life and perspective on marriage. Who is in it? Melanie Lynskey - Amy Christopher Abbott - Jeremy Blythe Danner - Ruth Favorite Scene: Amy's dad, who is often much easier on her than her mom, comes to her bedside and gives her some money. She refuses, then he insists. She then asks, "whose happiness are you buying?" Favorite Quote: Where the f** is 'bottom'? Where the motherf***ing f*** is motherf***ing 'bottom'? Review: Hello, I Must Be Going was an interesting watch. I've always found Melanie Lynskey to be an intriguing actor, and her role in this was just that.  What makes this film so interesting is that, going into the film, you believed this would be a film documenting Amy's journey from recent divorcee into...well, wherever it is she goes. The beauty of this film is that Amy's journey was just a public...
Read more