MovieChat Forums > Manchester by the Sea (2016) Discussion > "I CAN'T BEAT IT"

"I CAN'T BEAT IT"

posted 8 years ago by Mayhem85
13 replies | jump to latest

Firstly what a PHENOMENAL film, there is so much greatness that simply cannot be understood and absorbed in one sitting - Not just in the classical sense of understanding the conflicts, story and world we are made to be part of, but the way it is made and edited to.

The thread title line had me pause in AWE, a hard thing for me to experience in most modern films of late.

Considering what we do seem to know about Lee's inner struggle and the lead up to it, he 'doesn't talk much' and is for numerous obvious reasons is always guarding his emotions and 'real' states of mind while facing both small and large conflicts that a presented to him (either by fate or based on his action).
We are given pulses into his mindset but never arriving, one moment he may be playing cool and calm, next - smashing a window or bar patron or daydreaming.

His nephews life seems to be a complete contrast to Lee and also an old snapshot of probably the naive life he lived before 'the plot thickened'

At one point on the phone he tells Michelle Williams that the nephew 'seems' okay but 'wont open up', but he has friends looking out for him. (sounds like the Lee we see?)

After all the turmoil and conflict in a seemingly normal moment at the house, Lee' takes off the mask and simply proclaims the hard truth of the situation.
The nephew, whether he didn't understand, was indifferent to the statement (or was busy thinking how to poison his girlfriend's mother), doesn't probe more from Lee.

I really think the character development in this film is what took it to 11, and I can't remember a conflicted character to producing a 'tell' to their inner soul so well and simply as three words.
More with less I suppose.

Hopefully this comes across as I intended, i have never really written much about characters.
(By the way - "if it flies, floats or focks, it's cheaper to rent.")

[–] Okeelani 8 years ago

Great post, and I completely agree.
That statement by Lee was one of my favorite scenes by far. So raw and honest.

[–] shelemm 8 years ago

I like how Lee subtly changes. When Patrick first asks him about letting his girlfriend sleep over, he responds "Why are you asking me?" He doesn't have a clue nor a perental bone in his body. By the end of the film, he tells him flat out "no." During the film, his bickering with Patrick very much takes the parental role, enough so that a passerby makes a snide comment about his "nice parenting."

even as he resists, he adapts to the dynamics of the parent/child relationship without even knowing it.

[–] elliest_5 8 years ago

Well, "not a parental bone" sounds like he doesn't have it in him at all, which is not true. In the flashbacks we've seen that he was a great dad (barring some irresponsible drinking and judging mostly by the interaction with his kids and young Patrick of whom he was also very protective). So what's really happening is that he has convinced himself that he is the least qualified person on earth to be a dad, so the parental role is one he not only dreads, but actively keeps out of his life, since it fills him with anxiety and triggers his trauma (he most probably suffers from PTSD, hence all the punching around).

~*~

[–] mmsbk 8 years ago

Thank you . I just ( I must be a masochist ) waded through some of the usual misogynist, hate-filled semi literate crap that imdb message boards seem to be filled with these day , and came across your post .
Thank you.

[–] oscarxp25-206-659141 8 years ago

One of the things I loved about this movie was how the main character doesn't change in the end. Some people, in real life, can never tackle their demons, no matter how hard they try. It was also what I loved about "Funny People." After escaping death, Sandler still is the same piece of *beep* he always was by the end of the film. In most films he would change for the better.

[–] Okeelani 8 years ago

One of the things I loved about this movie was how the main character doesn't change in the end. Some people, in real life, can never tackle their demons, no matter how hard they try.

Completely agree. Great point.

[–] HIMcDonough 8 years ago

Your thoughtful post is a reason why I will miss visiting these message boards. Thank you.

[–] chrisfree 8 years ago

Excellent post. Also one of the most profound statements in the movie.
Just one point: Patrick does understand what Lee means. Just previously he had seen the pictures of his uncle's kids in his room. We never get to see that directly but there's three frames which he cares enough about to move when he temporarily decides to move to Manchester and give it a try.

[–] richbordoni 8 years ago

Damn, I didn't realise the symbolism of those three pictures. I was wondering what pictures they were and was hoping the camera would pan to them in that scene. That certainly adds another layer now that I know that.

[–] london777 8 years ago

The thread title line had me pause in AWE

That line is great. How can five short words be so meaningful yet so unusual in the world of film (as to their content).

One of the things I loved about this movie was how the main character doesn't change in the end. Some people, in real life, can never tackle their demons, no matter how hard they try.

Well put, Oscar.

[–] london777 8 years ago

The thread title line had me pause in AWE

That line is great. How can five short words be so meaningful yet so unusual in the world of film (as to their content).

One of the things I loved about this movie was how the main character doesn't change in the end. Some people, in real life, can never tackle their demons, no matter how hard they try.

Well put, Oscar.

[–] liamc2112 8 years ago

Great post, great film. Goodnight