Casey Affleck is pretty well assured a best actor Oscar for the impressively restrained and internal performance he gives in this picture. Perhaps the only thing that could derail him in receiving this top honor is a renewed interest in some sexual harassment suits from 2010, but from the very brief investigation I did into those I thought the charges were surprisingly mild.
Afflick plays Lee Chandler, a bitter, divorced handyman in Quincy Massachusetts, who is surprised to learn after his brothers passing, that he has been made sole guardian over his 16 year old nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Returning to his sea side former home town of Manchester to settle his late brothers affairs, Lee is put into renewed contact with his ex wife Randi (Michelle Williams, great as always) as well as others who knew him before, and we learn what made Lee into the man the he now is, and that is what makes this movie amazing.
This is a film that is best approached with minimal foreknowledge, so as tempting as it might be to go in depth, I'll limit myself to saying just what a great film this is. Afflick's performance is the stand out but the supporting cast is all good, with Hedges particularly strong in his part. It is a film that combines profound subtlety with powerful emotions, and effectively captures that numbed period after a close loved ones death, as well as the beauty of its setting, and the humanity of its characters. Perhaps the best movie of the last year. ****
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