Movie Mayhem with God: Manchester by the Sea

I watched “Manchester by the Sea” last night, and was left with a “and so it goes” kind of nonchalance. Upon some reflection this morning, I was curious about this indifference, considering how there is considerable critical acclaim about “Manchester by the Sea”. And it is only with more self-probing that I realized some uncomfortable truths.

 “Manchester by the Sea” is a “shit happens” reality driven film. I recall a month ago watching “Moonlight” with my boyfriend, and afterwhich the two of us discussing how we felt the movie was realistic, thematic and plot wise perfectly woven, visually well shot, into a masterpiece. After viewing “Manchester by the Sea”, though it may not match up to “Moonlight” in terms of themes, plot and even technical aspects, there is one aspect which it trumps the other hands down. The raw, muted yet gritty realism. (Major spoilers ahead.)

At the end of the film, Lee Chandler (played by Casey Affleck) does not miraculously turn his life around. His life remains more or less the way it is. He is still a janitor in Boston, and eventually does not move back to Manchester. He transfers custodianship of his nephew Patrick over to a common family friend instead. The way the people back there regard him has not improved much (e.g. the scene where a friend’s wife tells her husband “I do not want him around here”, and the scene of yet another bar fight in the final act of the movie). Lee and his ex-wife Randi’s tortured conversation at the finale of the film definitely attests to the fact that both him and her and still aching with baggage of the past, such that their talk disintegrates in the way it does.

And perhaps it was this realism which had been a bit too much for me to bear. When watching I attempted to disengage myself and watch the film like from a clinical perspective of a psychological professional. I had even remarked about how the film is an excellent piece for a study into grieving. This detached callous attitude towards the film only served to mask an uncomfortable indicator for myself.

Just like Lee Chandler, my current life is no miracle story which I can use to praise the glory of God. Some basic elements of my life have been adequately handled, but other pertinent issues lie unresolved, and look set to remain that way. This echoes what the commentator in Screen Junkies’ “Movie Fight” said about “Manchester by the Sea”, that it is a film that dares to tell you shit happens, and it looks set to remain that way for quite a while, without any markedly positive resolution.

The film concludes with Lee Chandler and Patrick playing bouncing of a ball on the way back to Patrick’s place, after attending Patrick’s father’s burial. This seemingly insignificant scene gives both myself and other viewers some solace and respite from the aches from bearing the daily weight of this world. At this point, Lee and Patrick are completely comfortable with each other, despite how the arrangements at the end of the film are anything but ideal. This ease and comfortable echoes the beginning of the film, when during Patrick’s childhood days when everything was the best scenario, Lee and his dad took him out for fun-filled days sailing by the sea. And ultimately this is what matters. Shit happens, and it looks set to stay that way. However, you are still by my side. Here is a big thank you to those who are bouncing the ball with me as I trudge along. Amen.