I stick by my stance of amore` for this film, in spite of people I’ve talked to, who comment, “But it’s so sad!”
What can I say, even in a sunny Floridian December, you can’t help but feel a little melancholy (re. John Lennon’s “So this Is Christmas”). Trust me, I’m not maudlin about anything, other than I won’t be with my son on Christmas, BUT I do appreciate some sap when it is expertly acted.
Broken record here in how much I like Michelle Williams (singing her praises most recently in a recent blog about “Certain Women”). I don’t think she’ll get the reward she deserves for this as there are too many other political contenders, BUT she certainly deserves it.
Fortunately the star of the movie, capitals S-T-A-R, Casey Affleck did win the Critics Award just last night for his portrayal of a broken man (no spoilers as promised). Just get thee to a movie theater and witness acting genius. And might I add a girlish comment that I actually liked his demure Joaquin Pheonix-esque aceptance speech. Make no mistake, this guy’s got some real demons to be able to dive this deep. Let’s just hope he can stay afloat and not do self-harm (aka Hoffman, Ledger, etc.).
The teenager in the movie also won a critic’s award last night, though I didn’t tune in in time to see this presentation. Lucas Hedges was a natural and has that Ron Howard with a nasty steroid reaction edge.
Manchester By the Sea’s screenwriter/director is Kenneth Lonergan who wrote another movie “You Can Count on Me” I’ll be seeking out. YCCOM came out in 2000 before my film infatuation began, but with Linney, Ruffalo and Broderick in it, I’m ashamed I did not know of it. Broderick, by the way, makes a cameo appearance in Manchester By the Sea and the packed house at Burns Court’s reaction was cute, a collective titter, of “oh, how sweet, Matthew Broderick”.
Go see this film and you’ll be shouting Casey Affleck when they announce the nominees for best actor in the next award show.
