The degree of anticipation surrounding Manchester by the Sea rivals that of almost any other movie set for release this year. Marking the directorial return of Oscar nominee Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count on Me, Margaret), the film received outstanding reviews after its Sundance premiere, with special notice—and, naturally, premature Oscar talk—going the way of stars Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams. Making good on the movie’s buzz, Amazon ultimately paid a hefty $10 million to secure rights for domestic distribution.
Manchester by the Sea centers on Lee (Affleck), a brooding loner who, after the untimely death of his brother, is named the legal guardian of his 16-year-old nephew (Lucas Hedges) and is summoned back to North Shore, his small New England hometown. The film navigates the murky waters of depression and loneliness, presenting a dreamlike but realistic meditation on grief.
Amazon has it set for a limited Nov. 18 release and is expected to mount a huge awards campaign come winter. The debut trailer certainly reinforces the hype: It’s only a two-minute glimpse, albeit one that highlights the naked performances of Affleck and Williams—who plays Lee’s separated wife, Randi—as well as the humane and searingly emotional touch that Lonergan tends to provide.
