Read Negative User Reviews for Manchester by the Sea

2

AxeTJan 1, 2017

Sir Alfred Hitchcock once said, "I don't make slices of life pictures. I prefer slices of cake." This is a prime example of why he expressed that sentiment and why he was the Master, and why so many are students of his to this day. TheSir Alfred Hitchcock once said, "I don't make slices of life pictures. I prefer slices of cake." This is a prime example of why he expressed that sentiment and why he was the Master, and why so many are students of his to this day. The filmmakers of this little indie slice of life film are not. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is naive not to realize the tenants of suspense apply to all stories and genres, that any good movie needs some form of imagination.
The writer/director here is trying to pass off a lazy, half baked, self indulgent, contrived excuse for a movie that is very slow, dreadfully boring, poorly edited (in the sense of economy of running time), and unevenly acted (at times it's naturalistic and real, while at others it's painfully forced and phony, with Casey Affleck delivering a suitably competent performance but certainly not outstanding by any sane measure)... and the critics just ate it up! They swallowed the pretentious void of story craft and lack of dynamics hook, line and sinker, as the herd on the scent of pretentious art films does, so often mistaking the pretense of art for actual accomplished audience pleasing work, or even difficult opaque but still highly worthy endeavors that require work on the audience's part. This thing is neither. Moviemakers should always work for the audience, not the other way around. That means even with difficult, challenging or disturbing material the work of story craft in a narrative must be done before it's given to the audience. To just throw up on screen some ramblings and musings (no matter how tragic or melancholic) that a screenwriter jacked off on the page and called it a day is no excuse for the lack of quality entertainment or "art" in any genuine sense of the word when it comes to the cinema.

Of course The Academy flock will also delight full course on this unpalatable slice of s--- too. Meanwhile we, those in and who work for the audience, shake our heads in disgust at the obscene deranged over-praise.… Expand

9 of 17 users found this helpful98

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1

UncleWillardMar 12, 2019

Nope. Not sure why this even made it into the nominations. This is a slow drag with one good scene. I'm sure there's some super intellectual reason why I'm wrong, but it doesn't change the fact that I was bored and disconnected from this movie.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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3

AcaciaJan 10, 2017

i don't care how great the acting is in this movie, it was not entertaining for me and I found it to be just dark, dreary and depressing. If I had a dollar for each time we were in a car, the movie would have more than paid for itself. Ifi don't care how great the acting is in this movie, it was not entertaining for me and I found it to be just dark, dreary and depressing. If I had a dollar for each time we were in a car, the movie would have more than paid for itself. If you are looking to be entertained, this is not the movie for you. The story is depressing and Casey Affleck's character is depressed. There is no humor at all in any scene. Awful!… Expand

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

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0

tacklinfuelMar 22, 2017

This movie was a waste of two hours with good acting. No real plot line, just two hours of footage of some dude. Utterly terrible movie, truly stunned it has such good reviews.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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macjMay 22, 2018

This has to be the most overrated movie of all time. I'm not opposed to a slower movie, I have the patience. But this movie was so boring. Absolutely nothing happens. I am stunned that it has this high of ratings.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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0

thebigsickfanJan 7, 2018

depressing, disjointed, and EXTREMELY disappointing! Don't waste your time on this pathetic, aweful movie.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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s3keithFeb 29, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the one that made me realize I should ignore the critics. As for the movie, when life is that bad - you get help. You have to get help or something really bad will happen. Shame on the critics - I think it is called Schadenfreude - disgusting… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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0

ckmontDec 5, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you love "feel good" movies, you might want to skip this one. There is no resolve or happy ending. This is the real, raw, and brutal reality of life after horrendous tragedy. Kenneth Longergan, the director and screenwriter, brilliantly articulates the void of life after insufferable and incurable tragedy. It may have been a crowd pleasure to write an ending where his nephew brings back the spark of life, but I found it more authentic to end it the way that Kenneth did. Casey Affleck's character, Lee, mentally imprisons himself for his past mistakes since the law will not do it for him. He deprives himself of every form of human connection or indulgence; going through the motions of life without fully living. This is a story of tragedy without healing. Casey Affleck's incredible ability to convey the long drawn affects of grief is Oscar worthy.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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jeffreyhDec 26, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the worst movies ever made--boring, stupid, and flatline plot. Who cares about any of these characters? Dull, insipid, tired of limited vocabulary with f---. don't waste time or money on this.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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2

vesperizerJan 21, 2017

It's a mystery what all of the hype is about... Excruciatingly slow, bleak, boring characters and landscapes and about 45 mins. too long. If you enjoy watching someone take leftover pizza out of a fridge, put it in the microwave and watch itIt's a mystery what all of the hype is about... Excruciatingly slow, bleak, boring characters and landscapes and about 45 mins. too long. If you enjoy watching someone take leftover pizza out of a fridge, put it in the microwave and watch it slowly turn, you might like this movie (this was an actual scene in the film - about 1-2 mins. long).… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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3

FadeBlackMay 21, 2017

One of my biggest issues of a very dominant trend in both filmmaking and TV shows in the past few years is the overbearing strive and subsequent critical acclaim for material that is heavily realistic, presents "complex and flawed"One of my biggest issues of a very dominant trend in both filmmaking and TV shows in the past few years is the overbearing strive and subsequent critical acclaim for material that is heavily realistic, presents "complex and flawed" characters, but there is a complete lack of central morality or moral lens for the viewer. If anything about good and evil, right or wrong, morality in general is touched upon, it is strictly restrained to moral relativism, where it's always "up to the viewer" to form their own feelings, the filmmaker tries not to offer the slightest clue about his or her stance on the issues. Pretty much every last "critically acclaimed" TV show these days falls under this category, and a plethora of movies, Manchester by the Sea being the most recent example of the ones I have seen, though it's really not about one or two examples.

The issue I have with this "non judgmental" trend is that I firmly believe art, truly great art, should in some shape or form benefit society, not simply present it "as is." When society celebrates stories of moral relativism, it adopts moral relativism. Things that were, and for good reason, seen as clearly wrong, suddenly become "complex," up for personal interpretation, depending on "circumstance." And if challenged, the excuse is always "oh I'm not endorsing this, I'm just portraying real life without judging. This is what people do."

But when art abandons teaching moral messages, that contributes to society becoming morally anchorless and losing its scope of what's right or wrong. No, this definitely is not an argument about "violent movies influence violence in real life" or anything of the sort - it's not about what is portrayed, but how it is portrayed. And morality seems to have been sacrificed by many filmmakers on the altar of realism, with both public and critical acclaim embracing this with both arms.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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1

FranklySpeakingFeb 18, 2017

A very depressing movie.
You are pounded with F BOMBS throughout the movie.
Tries to manipulate you into accepting what you see is normal.
I can't think of anything positive.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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skh33Dec 9, 2016

This is one of the most depressing movies I've ever watched. Well acted, but very, very, very slow, and dark and the opposite of uplifting. It's a feel sad movie. The emotional torture of dealing with horrible life tragedy is wellThis is one of the most depressing movies I've ever watched. Well acted, but very, very, very slow, and dark and the opposite of uplifting. It's a feel sad movie. The emotional torture of dealing with horrible life tragedy is well represented, but watching it for two and a half hours is not fun, nor particularly illuminating.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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morgan12345Dec 17, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A very depressing movie, not for me. Good acting but I go to the movies to end up feeling good and this movie had the opposite effect on me. The young actors were very good.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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3

jgzegerFeb 16, 2017

If you are looking to be entertained, stay as far away from this movie as you can. It is well-acted and directed but it is a bleak, depressing slice of life. I wish someone had clued me in beforehand as had I known, I would happily have givenIf you are looking to be entertained, stay as far away from this movie as you can. It is well-acted and directed but it is a bleak, depressing slice of life. I wish someone had clued me in beforehand as had I known, I would happily have given it a miss.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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1

traderjoe9Dec 26, 2016

I can't believe viewers rated this movie highly. Although decently acted with adequate cinematography, the story was unredeeming about a man who experienced a significant tragedy but who is given a chance to turn his life around by his olderI can't believe viewers rated this movie highly. Although decently acted with adequate cinematography, the story was unredeeming about a man who experienced a significant tragedy but who is given a chance to turn his life around by his older brother who makes him guardian to his son. The main character is inadequate in dealing with his loss and his opportunity and fails to honor his deceased brother's wishes. We are all familiar with people who are overwhelmed by life's circumstances. We go to the movies to see shining examples of people who surmount these challenges and point the way turning things around. This movie failed.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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Gala7777Nov 24, 2016

The film is pathetic. Dragging on, pretending to portray real feelings, this film is neither real nor (good) fiction. It is sentimentality on its lowest level with no real educational sense either. As far as the script, in one instant, theThe film is pathetic. Dragging on, pretending to portray real feelings, this film is neither real nor (good) fiction. It is sentimentality on its lowest level with no real educational sense either. As far as the script, in one instant, the creators didn't know how to get out of the drag, so they just turned the page, changed the music to a happy sound, just to fall right back into near senseless depression, and end the film on meaningless nothingness. How can other film critics not see the worthlessness of this 2.5 hour-waste-of-time? Perhaps, they are afraid not to get free tickets next time around.… Expand

5 of 32 users found this helpful527

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3

namelessDec 29, 2016

I so wanted to like this. There is much to like about the story but the editing combined with the director falling in love with the screenplay he wrote, turned it into a cliche of an art film. It is not Gome Baby Gone that Afleck did so well.I so wanted to like this. There is much to like about the story but the editing combined with the director falling in love with the screenplay he wrote, turned it into a cliche of an art film. It is not Gome Baby Gone that Afleck did so well. Definitely watch it, but on cable. It was so excrutiating at times, I so wanted to fast forward. Keeping the camera rolling while nothing happens does not make it deep, it just makes it indulgent. Every scene Michelle Williams is in is incredible. Would she deserve a nomination... YES.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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0

aerosappyFeb 25, 2017

Beyond salvation. Horrible, dreadful movie. Makes me want to cancel Amazon and Redbox. Depressing, and it never got better. We kept thinking that perhaps the next scene would rescue the movie. But alas, this was one of the worst moviesBeyond salvation. Horrible, dreadful movie. Makes me want to cancel Amazon and Redbox. Depressing, and it never got better. We kept thinking that perhaps the next scene would rescue the movie. But alas, this was one of the worst movies we have ever seen.… Expand

2 of 15 users found this helpful213

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1

DOUGKFeb 1, 2017

Dull boring, the tragedy is used to try to give the movie something interesting but it is stupid and unlikely. Affleck acts like himself. Why make a movie like this? Critics are dopes.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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0

WAAAMar 3, 2017

Manchester By The Sea doesn't go anywhere. I kept waiting for something profound to happen but it never did. The movie is boring and I can't figure out why it won awards..... Two thumbs Down... Booo

1 of 13 users found this helpful112

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1

yosemiteMar 31, 2017

Movies are generally classified under entertainment. This then can't be a movie because it does not entertain. The story is dark. The dialogue is dark. Affleck is a monotonous, one dimensional actor. Speaking is painful for him. The film doesMovies are generally classified under entertainment. This then can't be a movie because it does not entertain. The story is dark. The dialogue is dark. Affleck is a monotonous, one dimensional actor. Speaking is painful for him. The film does not have meaningful dialogue. The nephew was good as was Michelle Williams, although her role is not large. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if this film provided $10 worth of entertainment. It did not . My review ; don't see it… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

wmvincentJan 5, 2017

Very disappointed with this film--mostly because of Casey Affleck's acting, despite my being a major fan (I think he has yet to surpass his role as Bob Ford in that masterpiece, "The Assassination of Jesse James"). I see that many haveVery disappointed with this film--mostly because of Casey Affleck's acting, despite my being a major fan (I think he has yet to surpass his role as Bob Ford in that masterpiece, "The Assassination of Jesse James"). I see that many have expressed dislike of the film but have nonetheless praised Affleck's acting. Can't agree. I myself don't think the film is Oscar-worthy. Frankly, it bored me. Affleck's acting struck me as one-dimensional; he seemed removed. And the fact that he didn't have an accent was a complete turn-off. After all, Casey's a Massachusetts native & his character was raised in Manchester. The fact that his character lacked a regional accent seriously detracted form this film's realism. (In a very funny recent SNL skit he played a Dunkin' Donuts fanatic from Boston & his accent was Just So.) I thought Michelle Williams was good in her role, but the real standout in this film was Lucas Hedges. I liked the ending.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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1

stevenkDec 4, 2016

Superb. Oscar worthy film .acting, dialogue, screenplay, cinematography all superb. A realistic film about dealing with grief and loss and being human.
Uplifting without being saccharin.

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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1

NWGalDec 30, 2016

I went into the theater to see "Manchester By The Sea" with great expectations because of the Golden Globe nominations it received -- best actor, best drama, best director and best screenplay. I'm surprised it received a nomination for bestI went into the theater to see "Manchester By The Sea" with great expectations because of the Golden Globe nominations it received -- best actor, best drama, best director and best screenplay. I'm surprised it received a nomination for best screenplay because too often there is no meaningful dialogue between characters or very little. Music now plays where words used to be. Can't any one write any more. And because of this lack of dialogue, Casey Affleck has little to work with outside of being depressed due to the deaths in the film. This film also has a lot of foul language, too many slow scenes and unnecessary scenes that I wished I could have fast forwarded through or that the director would have cut. The plot is good, but not ever film needs to be edited with meaningless flash backs. I understand why the director edited it like that, but some scenes were unnecessary. Can't writers and directors tell a story in chronological order any more? At least, sometimes. "Manchester By The Sea" isn't a bad story. It's just a film that you should wait to see on DVD, so that you can fast forward through the slow scenes and mute the offense language if necessary.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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3

HarrySeesFeb 13, 2017

The whole thing (acting, directing, etc.) is quite juvenile. I was guessing scene climaxes halfway through the scene. Ex. the refridgerator scene. Felt like a film student project. Cliche strings with no chances taken. Two-plus hours wasThe whole thing (acting, directing, etc.) is quite juvenile. I was guessing scene climaxes halfway through the scene. Ex. the refridgerator scene. Felt like a film student project. Cliche strings with no chances taken. Two-plus hours was way more than was needed for the simple story's telling. I fought the impulse to walk out.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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3

SerengetiJun 12, 2022

Relentlessly depressing and awful. Complete downer. Hated it. Not a fan of Casey Affleck anyway. There is not a single spark of humor or a small chuckle to be found. If you want deep and dark, this is your movie. For me, it was a walkRelentlessly depressing and awful. Complete downer. Hated it. Not a fan of Casey Affleck anyway. There is not a single spark of humor or a small chuckle to be found. If you want deep and dark, this is your movie. For me, it was a walk out. Didn’t, but probably should have.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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2

tvshowsfanDec 20, 2017

I cannot believe the scores this movie received. Sure there were some good actors in it, but it was like reading about a tragedy in the newspaper. An interesting news article that you're not likely to think about again as you resume yourI cannot believe the scores this movie received. Sure there were some good actors in it, but it was like reading about a tragedy in the newspaper. An interesting news article that you're not likely to think about again as you resume your busy life. I thought movies were to entertain, not simply report a human interest tragedy.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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1

311433Dec 14, 2019

I was looking forward to this movie, had read promising things about it. What a disappointment. I found it boring to the extreme, overrated and precious in its own little bubble. I was not engaged with the main character or the actor'sI was looking forward to this movie, had read promising things about it. What a disappointment. I found it boring to the extreme, overrated and precious in its own little bubble. I was not engaged with the main character or the actor's performance, difficult to believed he won an Oscar for it. Some movies are like the emperor's clothes to me. This is one of them.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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3

W2IRTAug 27, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Remarkable in many ways, and at times deserving of the accolades it received, but in the end there were two insurmountable flaws that sunk it for me. This film was in desperate need of a story editor. The story could have been told in about 30 fewer minutes of screen time. The pacing was glacial despite great performances. But Manchester's biggest flaw was simply that Lee didn't grow over those two-plus hours we spend with him. He's just too broken. OK, we get it and understand why, but for me, that's just not something I find entertaining. I'm fine with a tragedy that cripples a story's main character, and while redemption can be nice, it's not necessary. What is necessary is a sense of growth. Show some semblance of picking up the pieces, or at least making a move in the right direction. At best we got a couple of baby steps, but not enough. The story was all tragedy, a handful of brief situational laughs, but that was it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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