Key Takeaways:
– Matt Damon and John Krasinski initially had the idea for Manchester by the Sea.
– Due to scheduling conflicts, they passed the baton to Kenneth Lonergan.
– Casey Affleck won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the movie.
The Genesis of Manchester by the Sea
The profound and poignant film, Manchester by the Sea, has a genesis as intriguing as the story itself. The initial idea for the movie sprouted from the minds of the acclaimed Hollywood duo, Matt Damon and John Krasinski. Although they initially planned to work on it together, due to circumstances, they chose to hand it off to their friend Kenneth Lonergan. This could not have come at a better time for Lonergan, who was in dire need of a career boost.
Lonergan’s Turnaround in Fortune
Initially, Damon had intended to don the director’s hat for Manchester by the Sea. But as fate would have it, scheduling troubles led him to pass on the sheet to his good friend. Lonergan, who was initially signed to pen down the screenplay, now also found himself at the helm as the director. Proving his mastery, Lonergan bagged an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film, his first in this category.
The Move that Earned Casey Affleck an Oscar
Damon’s plans also included playing the lead role in the film. However, due to various reasons, he had to let go of this opportunity as well. This opened doors for another friend, Casey Affleck. For Affleck, this brought forth an Oscar nomination and eventually, the Best Actor honor.
The Narration of Manchester by the Sea
Set in the namesake town, Manchester by the Sea is a narration steeped in gloom and melancholy. Affleck’s character, Lee Chandler, confronts past trauma brought up by a tragic accident involving his brother. Left as the sole guardian of his teenage nephew, Chandler finds himself tied back to the town he had long left, only to be jeopardized by the painful memories.
The Impact of the Story
The film’s director and screenplay writer, Kenneth Lonergan, had a sombre but universal message with this film. He shared, “You can’t get through life without something happening to you that you can’t stand, and there’s nothing wrong with putting that in a story.” This emotionally-packed film touches upon the themes of facing heartache, finding closure and moving on from the hurt.
Manchester by the Sea is a film that narrates an emotional journey set amidst the backdrop of a quaint yet sad New England town. For those who wish to witness this Oscar-winning spectacle, it’s currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
