Jacob Peterson’s review published on Letterboxd:
Is there a proper way to grief? Can one ever get over the pain of loss? I don't honestly know. But Kenneth Lonergan's masterpiece, "Manchester By The Sea" eloquently seeks to explore this subject matter with genuine sensitivity and honesty.
The story is a tale of broken people who've lost what made them happy and are now left figuring out what to do with themselves. It's interesting how the story portrays essentially three different ways people cope while resolving that no particular way will fully heal the pain as you see these characters emotionally breakdown throughout. However, despite all that, the film manages to keep the tone at a bearable heft with moments of comic relief mainly with the teenager's storyline that almost makes this film a dramedy.
The story, however, would be useless without the proper cast to pull it off and luckily for the film it has just that. Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams are absolutely heartbreaking as a once happy go lucky couple now devastated in the wake of what made them lose everything including their marriage. Lucas Hedges, is in my opinion the breakout star of this film in being the anchor that not only keeps the film's tone light but also giving this teenager he's playing this irressistable charm as well as a genuine depth that easily makes him the audience's favorite.
I only have one qualm with this film: the soundtrack! I don't know who the hell picked the music for this film but they should never be in this business again based off their musical selections! I mean seriously, Handel? HANDEL?!!! Along with the other countless vocal classical music selections just took you out of the story at times because it didn't match what was going on at all and personally, it gave me a raging headache.
Nevertheless, despite my nit-pick I absolutely have to give this film a excellent rating as it moved me beyond what words can effectively explain in taking the time to discuss so beautifully what we have a hard time discussing.