MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (2016)

Turns out, even an all-digital production may, at least metaphorically, go ‘off’ in the can after the initial buzz dies down. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan’s hosannaed domestic drama got high marks for its restrained, rueful & occasionally humorous account of large tragedies amongst the little people when Casey Affleck’s life-embittered uncle is named guardian of high school nephew Lucas Hedges after his brother’s heart gives out. Then it’s all observational details & interpersonal missteps as a wary relationship develops. But Lonergan stumbling technique, meant to appear honest & non-intrusive, misses half the drama (literally, the camera misses it) and lets a sort of dawdling overdose of Method-Acting take over the paceless production. That might matter less if he hadn't withheld the 'secret' underlying family tragedy used to explain Affleck’s character for half the film. The idea must have been to add a layer of structural suspense to kitchen sink drama, but once reveled, it cheapens the tone when a short, sharp prologue could have better informed events. (And trimmed 20 minutes off the running time.) Something’s gone wrong with Lonergan. Successful early plays and an excellent debut with YOU CAN COUNT ON ME/’00 only seemed to slow the creative process. Surrounded by friendly enablers after that (hard to spot a cast member who’s not a past pal), he desperately needs critics & naysayers to get his formidable gifts back in harness. (Unlikely after all the awards garnered here.) But special mention to Michelle Williams as the emotional ex-wife, and to Josh Hamilton (an original cast member in Lonergan’s THIS IS OUR YOUTH/’96) as a perplexed estate lawyer. Ultimately, the film feels like Lonergan’s last (the heavily re-edited MARGARET/’11) in being both underdeveloped and overcooked . . . or is it overdeveloped and undercooked?

DOUBLE-BILL: Modest, homely, the little known DEEP WATERS/’48 handles similar story elements to handsome, if somewhat conventional effect. With director Henry King at his understated best, pushing ever so slightly against Hollywood formula.