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Manchester by the Sea

Drama


 

A man struggles to take up the responsibility of guardianship for his teenage nephew.

"Manchester by the Sea" presents a complex backstory to a present day situation, revealed in a fashion similar to fitting pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Unendurable grief is expressed by disconnection, and while there is truth in that response, a resulting colourlessness makes it tough for audiences to feel for the underdeveloped characters. Tragedy is relied upon to explain behaviours, and missing are human elements that could breathe life into the family members. It's not aided by a distracting soundtrack. Solid but heavy seas.

Anne Murphy

Limited Release 2nd February 2017
Universal Pictures 137 mins




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