After being seen more as a writer, Kenneth Lonergan is back for only his third venture into directing. Not only that, it is being billed as one of the main Oscar contenders.

Any film that has been given that title, is always put under pressure for being the best thing since sliced bread.

I have certainly tried my best to avoid anything and everything about this film. Before seeing it, I had heard that it is all about Casey Affleck's performance and that it is very depressing.
Well what I can say to that, is that there is more then just Affleck and it is definitely not as depressing as you would think.

The film opens up to what you would expect from the reviews. But after that, every scene just seems to build up the emotion and intensity to make this film feel so real and genuine.

The performances by the cast on the whole was some of the best work I have seen from any other ensemble in a 2016 film. They all felt believable and as if I was watching real life and being a fly on the wall during their conversations.
When it comes to Affleck, believe the hype. It is certainly a fantastic performance, despite it feeling subdued throughout. You start to think his character is hard to like. But as the film goes on, it would be silly not to feel sympathy for him and by the end really care for his character.
Lucas Hedges was a real star in this in the main supporting role. I really hope this is the start of something special.
As for Michelle Williams, while she is not the film for that long, anytime she is on screen, it is hard not be engrossed by her presence and the execution of the dialogue. It was also great to see Kyle Chandler on the screen as he is on a few of my favourite films from the last few years.

Outside of the acting, there is also a lot to like elsewhere. Despite a lot of people saying how depressing it is, there is a solid amount of comedic moments that made me and many others in the screening that I was in chuckle quite often.
The cinematography was really good. The wintery look to the locations was almost like a character in itself.

There is hardly any negatives worth speaking of, so its props to Lonergan and his team. The unexpected structure of story-telling totally won me over and it made this film watchable, entertaining and worked with my emotions in the right way.
Yes the subject and tone has sad outcomes and there are moments that are tough to watch. But the black comedy gave the film some light that may give it some re-watchability.
Mentioning that re-watchability factor could give this some legs going into the next decade of film-making. While some Oscar contenders seem to only work for that short space of time for awards season, others blossom long after it has come out. I can see the latter working for Manchester By The Sea.

Rating: 8/10