Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Writers: Kenneth Lonergan
Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler
From the first scene with Lee Chandler (portrayed by Casey Affleck), we sense something dark and repressed within Lee’s soul. His eyes have no light, his voice is a dead monotone, and he moves with robotic energy. We can’t see any light in him at all.
It’s not till midway in the movie we discover what has caused the near-death of his soul. Yet, even as we understand why he lives in such pain and denial, we also want to shout at him to wake up. He is physically alive. Surely that’s worth fighting for?
Casey Affleck depicts this character beautifully. This film is not a feel-good, happily-ever-after movie. Rather, it’s a simple journey through a man’s psyche to understand why he can be so self-destructive. It’s an honest exploration of the human condition.
Michelle Williams portrays his wife, Randi, who co-experiences the tragic events with her husband, but who deals with loss and pain in a more constructive way. Years after they have gone separate ways, there’s a powerful scene where Randi opens her heart to Lee and tries to repair the damage to their lives. This scene is why she got the nomination for best supporting actress.
The death of Lee’s brother propels Lee into becoming his nephew’s guardian. We sense that Lucas just might be the instrument of his Uncle Lee’s salvation. Will his guardianship force Lee to escape his self-destructive mode? At first we think Lucas is a sex-absorbed, unfeeling teenager. In a heart-rending breakdown, he reveals to us that he has actually buried the pain of his father’s loss deep inside himself in much the same fashion his Uncle Lee denies pain.
Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan has united his two functions and created a film which addresses human frailties and strengths in a compassionate, loving way. This is a powerful movie.
SUMMARY: GEN: 9; JUST: n/a; HUVA: 10
TAGS: Manchester, Massachusetts, Kenneth Lonergan, Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, fishing, Lucas Hedges
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