Manchester by the Sea | The Art of Realism (Video Essay)

In this video essay on Manchester by the Sea I will be discussing the cinematography and editing techniques used to evoke a realism style and, ultimately, why this was the best artistic decision for the film.

Manchester by the Sea. 2016. [film] Directed by K. Lonergan. Massachusetts: Roadside Attractions.

This video is intended for educational purposes

#ManchesterbytheSea #Realism #VideoEssay #Filmmaking #Screenwriting

[Sqoun]

This is my fav depressing movie of all time. It literally reflects real life more than real life. It's not an easy movie to watch and get. It's a masterpiece.

[spencerpanes]

Lee is not afraid of dying, he's afraid of living the rest of his life as a disappointment... I feel so sad for him, I just wanna hug that guy.

[willardlarkinsnow]

The continuous jumping between timelines I think is symbolic of where Lee is emotionally. The timelines flow together because Lee is still living those events. He’s in the present but he’s also in the past. He can’t beat it. He can’t leave it behind. He’s still right there watching that house burn.

[maxinaturcotte]

When Lee tells Patrick “I can’t beat it” it really puts everything into perspective. Some people cant move on. Some people cant forgive themselves. Sometimes the pain is just too great. Sometimes there is no resolution. And thats okay. Lee couldn’t overcome the grief he carries after losing all of his children, thats what makes this film so real. This situation is made so much more real given the backdrop of an icy new england town in the dead of winter. I grew up in new england and i spent the better part of my life there and grief and depression is almost inescapable for those that have lived and loved and lost there. I left and now i am in new york city, i dont think i wouldve ever left home if my father was still alive. I gave it my best shot. But i think that just like Lee, I couldn’t beat it, you know?

[mattkuhn]

The scene when Patrick is in Lee's room and stops to inspect the picture on the dresser. So crushing.

[fengxiong]

This movie hurts in many ways especially when you grow older and have experienced the sadness of life. I've been that broken man before

[space_]

The thing I noticed most were the people surrounding the main characters. Through it all, regardless of what they are going through, there is always visual emphasis (or at least I was drawn to) the people going on with their lives in the background. The woman behind the desk has to look for Joe's belongings in the zip lock bag, the lawyer's assistant innocently asks Patrick if he wants a soda, the doctor awkwardly waits in the background for Lee to finish seeing his brother's body, Patricks girlfriend makes breakfast while Lee is arranging the funeral, I could go on.

[irtizanaqvi]

It should have been longer. Way longer. It felt too fast. A masterpiece. We need a directors cut

[automaticmattywhack]

I just rewatched MbtS last week. Every time I watch it, I'm so upset that no one makes movies like this very often. It's all action or superhero crap. It's a phenomenal movie

[The_Man_Who_Sold_Meridia]

I gotta give this movie credit for doing something a bit rare, It does not end with a dramatic sad ending yet is one of the saddest endings I have ever experienced. The reason I say that is due to the handful of times Lee mentions or shows he will never move past what happened.

[avelasoyingwa]

There is
Something to be said about the subtle character development of Patrick, portrayed in the scene where he asks “can I get you anything uncle Lee”. After Lee got into a bar fight towards the end of the movie. In the beginning of the movie, Patty’s mind was preoccupied by his life, what he has going on and how he was grieving. It was all about him but this scene highlighted a shift in perspective where he looked into Lee’s past(by looking at the portraits of lee’s deceased children), realising that he was also grieving and then showed him kindness by asking this question instead of criticising him. The writing here is OUTSTANDING omg

[jasonhanshaw]

The most accurate depiction of child loss that I've ever seen.

[jennifercorozza]

This movie breaks my heart, and I love it so. That final image of the two of them on Joe's boat together w/out him it stays w/me. Recent grief in my life makes me hold this movie even closer. It's like you can imagine, but you don't know until you experience it.

[michaelz]

The best American film of the last ten years.

[XYouVandal]

Casey Affleck's performance might be the best I have ever seen. You'll never see a better portrayal of grief

[thegunshow]

I never want to feel the feeling I had with this movie ever again. This is one of those movies that fucking broke me . I bawled for hours and hours. I’ve never wanted to die while watching a movie until this fucking movie. This movie is just beautiful

[siosion]

For some reason I keep coming back to this movie. Ever since it came out. It is only now, almost eight years later, through the recent events in my life, that I can really understand the scenes.

At the funeral of a very close relative, the atmosphere was incredibly depressing.

An elderly gentleman wanted to pay his respects in front of the coffin. Despite the scolding of his nurse, he wanted to pour holy water on the coffin, but he had to climb 4 steps to do so.
Our eyes were all red from crying so that we could hardly see anything, but we had to smile inwardly at what was happening in front of us.

Grief isn't black and it isn't white, you can't forbid yourself to be happy. Everyone needs their time. Grief does not exist once, but can come and go.
Thank you for your beautiful summary of the film.

[deniseg]

I am always drawn to the subtle parts of a movie, when he says; I can't beat it, my heart breaks and as he says it, red lights, like those on a fire truck, pass behind him. I don't know if that was an accident or done on purpose.

[tomgilchrist]

One of the best and most honest films I ever watched.

[sergiorivaslamas]

I watched the movie today for the very first time. I burst into tears....when Lee meet again whith his ex I Think he couldn't live in Manchester anymore due to his past....
that cointained got out for couldn't escape from. So devastating.