Manchester By The Sea - Interviews with the Stars

Casey Affleck in, Manchester By The Sea 

Casey Affleck stars alongside Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler and breakout star Lucas Hedges (named one of Variety's 2016 "10 Actors to Watch") in Manchester by the Sea, a heart-wrenching drama that's been creating Oscar buzz since its debut at Sundance 2016. (Casey Affleck is pretty much a lock for a Best Actor nomination).

Set against the grey skies of winter, the film is written and directed by American Kenneth Lonergan who, just as he did in his award-winning You Can Count on Me, shows a knack for depicting the messiness of real life.

The story centres around Lee (Affleck), a loner living in Boston.  When his beloved older brother Joe (Chandler) dies, Lee finally returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the New England hometown he abandoned years ago.  Although named guardian of Joe's teenage son (Hedges), Lee has no intention of staying - and flashbacks slowly reveal the reason why.

Lucas Hedges and Casey Affleck

Michelle Williams plays Lee's ex-wife, and Gretchen Mol is Joe's ex.  Lonergan regular Matthew Broderick makes a cameo.  Matt Damon is a producer on the film. 

Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck 

I spoke with stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and Lucas Hedges during the Toronto International Film Festival.  You can watch the interviews by clicking below. 

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA opens November 25 in Toronto (Varsity), Vancouver and Montreal!

The film opens December 9 in Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria, and throughout the winter in other cities.