Only Kenneth Lonergan’s third feature film in 16 years, Manchester By The Sea is a heartwrenching study of grief and mourning that tells the story of a man returning to his hometown after the death of his older brother. Casey Affleck has become the poster child of lethargic emotion and he uses it to shattering effect as the lead character, perfectly supported by the always great Michelle Williams and permanently underrated Kyle Chandler. This is phenomenal filmmaking by Lonergan, delicately handled and with a subtly dark comic streak seeping through, particularly in Affleck’s chemistry with Lucas Hedges as his 16 year old nephew. A devastatingly beautiful Oscar winner.