To his astonishment, he is told that he is now the legal guardian of his brother's teenage son, Patrick (Lucas Hedges).
Affleck and Hedges deliver powerful performances - as both men try to navigate the intricacies of family relationships, and of loss.
Lee is a man broken down by his own demons.
Though the story is set in the present, we see flashbacks to his marriage to Randi (Michelle Williams) - and discover the reason for his depression-filled rage.
A drunken Lee lit a fire in his home to keep his family warm, before stumbling out into the night to fetch alcohol. The uncovered fire ravages his home, and he returns to find his wife rescued, but his three young children trapped inside.
How does one cope with this grief? How can one forgive oneself for this error?
The pain felt between Williams and Affleck when they meet and reconcile near the end of the film is incredible. Two incredible actors giving their all to this piece.
Cinematography is bleak, as it should be, however there could be more variety of shots - and the opening shots felt somewhat unsteady. This depiction of broken lives, death, grief, depression and complicated relationships is well worth the watch.
Manchester by the Sea
Drama | R13
136 minutes
