Brilliant scene when he says there is nothing there he means he is empty inside and he can't bear the thought of being around her or anyone else's from his past life. He is not angry at her at all just dead inside because he blames himself for the accident. So few words but so much content awesome
Jared Le Normand or by that he means there's nothing there against her , he's not carrying any grudges for anyone, he's only putting the blame on himself for what happened to the kids, this made him hate himself, which led to hate everyone else, that's why he can't stand talk or being around people.
I take "nothing there" as telling her he has no feelings for her or for anyone else. She wants to be in his life, but he cuts her off every time, not even lunch. Her saying that's not true is that she's asking him to not reject everyone from entering his life.
Jared Le Normand I think also, him walking away when she wants to keep talking and even have lunch with her, is that he doesn't want to have her change his mind, as he's made up his mind on nothing being there and he feels this is what's best for himself and others, even though him acting like this would have a negative effect on himself and to those who care about him, and doesn't want a conflicting argument of hearing anything that isn't already made up in his mind. This is a great scene as well as a very important scene in the film.
This scene, finally great acting that doesn’t involve a dialog that makes ordinary people seem like script writers too. This is exactly what people in pain would say to each other and not perfectly put together wording
Hell, people often don't speak perfectly in any scenario. Just look at so many interviews between celebrities. You're right that movies tend to be too perfect in their writing.
@@MalphasMikaelson True, but I would say there's a large spectrum of great scripts, with some opting for the smarter, witter, denser, more "perfect approach", examples being Aaron Sorkin and Tarantino's scripts. They are still fine, if not even better.
Man that line hurt so much to hear. I hate that they both have to go through this and I'm heartbroken that Affleck's character pretty much embodies that line she says.
Y'all moved because Williams portrays real grief so effectively. This is the best acting you'll ever see. If i could write a scene like that my life would be complete.
The most moving scene I ever saw in any picture ever. If you lost a child, this hurts so much, but it is so true. Like she said, she is broken, always will be. So true, so well acted, amazingly acted. Every time I view this scene I cry., sometimes I just watch it to relieve my tension about losing my son. You keep going on, but you are broken, you can laugh, joke live a good life, but you are broken and always will be till you see the child again. 🌻
Joann Oriol Im truly sorry for your loss Joann. I can’t imagine how anyone can go through life with this amount of pain. I came across this video exclusively for its performance. This was a really good performance. The dialogue was perfect. In any given show or movie actors would struggle with interrupting lines. My heart goes out to you.
I never would have thought a RU-vid comment would make me cry. I'm so sorry you had to go through that, I believe in heaven and I believe you will see your son again.
@@ericthegeneric1611 And my wife doesn't talk to me for a week because I got the pizza order wrong...and this woman wants to have lunch with the man who killed his children.
The way she bends her neck back when she says "But honey" and she says it so softly and with so much pain mixed with love. shit. Look at how she holds her hands folded, so damn humble.
“I should fucking burn in hell for what I said to you...” This is what killed me. She truly felt that. They went through such a tragedy and she said some things she knows she can never take back, just adding to the torture he already brings upon himself. Truly a crushing scene, but so real.
Yeah ridiculously powerful scene, her acting is just superb, almost cried watching this... The conversation felt so real, it was painful to watch. Truly a masterpiece
LH I think that she is one fantastic actress who manages to elevate every movie in which she stars. Her grief in this scene is heart-wrenching and I feel that she steals the scene. It has brought me to tears everytime I've viewed it.
I know that everyone is cheering Michelle's performance in this scene, and rightfully so, she was amazing, but Casey deserves some props, too. Any lesser actor would've thought that this is "the" scene were they get to cry and get emotional in order to show their range and acting abilities, and also to be on par with what Michelle is doing, but not Casey. Zero ego. He stuck to his character's truth, which was to push any sort of emotional reaction or establish an intimate human connection so that he won't feel vulnerable again - particularly to the woman he loved whom he gave the worst heartache imaginable. We later see how this moment affected Lee on an emotional level. This is actual human behavior, not some movie fluff, which is why I love this film, the writing, the directing, and especially the performances.
@Macdealerx Except that the script here calls for her to be the more emotional of the two, and for him to largely react to her and his character to resist the emotional moment her character wants from the encounter.
this is beautifully written , the pain we feel from them talking , the way they dont finish their sentences like they know what the other will say , it brings out so much feeling, Michelle totaly stole the scene but Affleck stole the whole movie , that "you cant just die" just killed me, they dont say much , they dont even complete a line of thought is just like ramdom stuff , "u cant" " no no no" but that what makes it real , in a true situation you cant even talk right , pure genious
it is left to our imagination the terrible things she said in shock and grief and anger, because we remember her kick-ass personality when they were happy........now she grieves not just for her lost children, but for the broken ex-husband she still loves.........very powerful scene
@@hadiputraw8083 Satire? I'm pretty sure that's how most conversation go, especially in such an emotional situation. If anything, I'd say the film was portraying reality.
"You don't understand"... I RAPED WOMEN but they still gave me the OSCAR over Denzel... and then blocked black Nate Parker WHO WAS ACQUITTED from even getting a nomination!!!
John Carter, false equivalency. You're quick to point out that Nate Parker was acquitted of rape (on a technicality, I might add), but failed to mention that Affleck was NEVER charged, prosecuted, nor convicted of rape. In fact, the accusations were about sexual harassment (e.g. invading personal space, sex talk), not rape, and the matter was settled out of court (which, btw, is not an admission of guilt), so none of us knows all the details. Yet, people like you are quick to fill in the holes and make up scenarios based on little or no evidence. But you clearly have an agenda.
Nate Parker WAS ACQUITTED...over a DECADE ago... yet no nomination for "Birth of a Nation" which he produced, directed, wrote, starred in .. yet the Academy KNEW of Casey's "sexual harassment" BEFORE the Oscars... and propped his gloomy boring ass up OVER DENZEL??? Dude your racism is showing!
Joe was the man who carried the sorrow of his family upon his shoulders. Every flashback and comment about him explains the integrity of his character as the absolute rock of their community. With his death, no one is left to support this awful grief and sorrow. This film is already a classic.
Joe, actually took care of him. He took care of things. He took care of his son, even though his wife was alchoholic, even after he was told that he had limited time, he didn't show remorse, he was being funny. He took care of Patrick, he had the boat, the guns collections, took care of Lee's furniture. Accepted his misery, but stayed by. He even in his will wanted Lee to move on by taking care of his child. What a big brother!
What Michelle WIlliams pulled off here might easily be the best performance of the past decade. This is so organically devastating, and it's so devastating because it so simple, brutal and realistic. There are no big words when you're broken, there's only sorrow and pain. This motion picture is a god damn masterpiece!
Now we know who won! Michelle is not black, not to knock Viola Davis but really!!!!! Michelle totally deserved this Oscar but, ..........she's the wrong color.
Actually no. Viola is an incredible talent and you're right, Viola did deserve the Oscar. My comment was not cool. I'm not being sarcastic I was totally in the wrong.
He wants to believe there is nothing there. But there's something there, there always will be. No matter how much he tries to bury this tragedy, something will always be there. Even nothingness counts as something in this case, like the hole in his heart. She knows there's something there too, and she "understands" how much he suffers and how he's trying to bury it, and she knows that he's torturing himself this way. But they both come to an understanding too that the tragedy is just so vast, so overbearing that it is irreparable. And they must keep living, trying to move on but never getting to.
Actually she feels massive guilt for her actions and realizes she threw aside something wonderful when she was overly emotional. He feels the pain of losing his kids the most. And her betrayal was so scarring that he has cut out any idea of being close to a woman again. This is why he just ignores all the advances from other women as he has zero trust for women. Seeing her reopens old wounds and he wants nothing to do with her. She wants to reconcile. He is angry at the original betrayal and just wants to be by himself.
KILL ME NOW. I'd love to know how many takes the director took. This singular scene is so perfect in every way. It should be shown in every acting class, every directing class, every writing class, every editing class.
Lonergan has a background in theatre. He has the cast do readings at the table for a few weeks before shooting the film. This scene was completed in a couple of hours. He said tye actors were very ready when it came time to shoot.
I can't get over this scene ... i keep coming back here 2 or 3 times on a weekly basis to rewatch this masterpiece ... one of the greatest acting scenes in movies history
Yes, I've never seen anything better. It's almost impossible to get this sort of scene exactly right. But the director and these brilliant actors absolutely nailed it.
Without Viola Davis "Fences" on Oscar night. Its Michelle Williams Oscar's to lose its a shame these two great actors were on the same category on both outstanding movies.
When he keeps saying “There’s nothing there”...when there used to be so much. He had a wife, he had children, he had a beautiful life. He realizes that their only connection now is the death of not just one of their children but all of their children. Forever. There is just no coming back from that. I mean to see how they were in the beginning, and then to see them now...there are just no words for it. All the love and affection that was once between them, is replaced by profound guilt, utter heartbreak and terminal remorse. It’s like they’re not even alive anymore, just ghosts wandering the earth.
The expression on Randi's face says when she says 'but honey' and just before is probably the most heart-wrenching part because you see the undeniable love she still has for him. She's trying so hard to penetrate the emptiness of the man she loved and still does despite the tragedy that happened, but Lee doesn't know how to respond through his long-harboured guilt and disarray from the world around him. Powerful, complex stuff.
This scene is so devastating because it’s so real. The way they overlap each other’s lines and don’t push for the emphasis is so convincing and so beautifully done. Michelle Williams NEEDS an Oscar!
I wanted to watch this scene again and googled "manchester by the sea best scene." Seems we many of us wanted to experience this again and agreed on it's quality.
I love how in the wide shot the wall creates a visual line between the two. Over the conversation Randy moves closer to it but Lee stays exactly where he is. Showing us how Randy is able to carry the burden of losing her children, move forward with it, but with Lee overcoming that sorrow is literally a line he cannot cross, it’s broken him forever.
Andrés Cepeda Viola also should've been nominated for lead actress instead of supporting though. She was definitely in much more of her movie than Michelle and Viola's character was definitely one of the lead's of Fences
Viola also got it because she was seen as 'overdue' even though this was only her 3rd nomination. (This was Michelle Williams' 4th nod.) But Davis was most likely runner-up 5 years ago when Meryl Streep beat her, but Davis sure did give her a run for her money. Many people afterward and ever since were saying that Davis was robbed. So, she more or less had the Oscar sewn up once this project was announced, especially since it won her a Tony in 2010. It was a baity role, she was great, and she had the sentimental vote and 'overdue' factor. Not to mention that Viola's 3rd nomination was historic. Until then, Davis and Whoopi were the only black actresses with multiple Oscar nods, two each. But now Davis broke that record, so no way was the Academy going to let her go home empty-handed.
A “sick to your stomach” scene. Literally. This scene, imo, is one of the greatest in cinema history (in terms of reaching the utmost of human emotion and compassion). Lost my late wife to suicide over Christmas and have two boys to raise, now. I can honestly say I feel that emptiness in everything I do. Just nothing there but each day that goes by. Great flick.
I think a lot of people was hyped for this movie and went out disappointed. But this scene, along with the near suicide scene at the police station, everything all comes together to tell a story, not an action-packed one. Not overly dramatic, but a story that is as close to how real things can get. This movie is hyper-realistic, it does not get more real than this. It might as well have been a documentary, but THIS scene, explains it all. It gets so real it almost hurts
And i think Casey Affleck's oscar was well deserved, i only wish Michelle Williams would have gotten some kind of nod, but her role was too small, but soo god damn vital, as shown in this scene
Not true. Her role was critically acclaimed. She was nominated for a Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and an Oscar, not to mention just about every Broadcast Critics Circle in the nation gave her a nomination as well. She just didn't win.
The point of being an artist, whatever form that may take, is to shine a light on the human condition that the viewer is able to relate to. It can be so personal it burns you to your very core - that is great art. This scene is great art, from the writer, director, the actors.
" hey Dillan , very handsome ". The way she looks at Casey reminds her of the day he picks his son up and says exactly the same thing before the tragedy , gets me every time .
@@Onigirli Just imagine this whole situation happening in real life, it would be like hell. And these actors took us as close as they could to that hell through their magnificent acting.
@@saidmiranda1989 But Said, this... IS real life. OK no it's not but I remember getting into the zone watching this film that I ended up treating it like a documentary. Even with that wonderful classical music. It was also oddly funny at small moments, like the "NICE PARENTING!" scene when that random passerby mutters at Lee and his nephew bickering. "Are you mentally deficient?" Really, really good film
There’s a handful of scenes in movie history that make me cry… this is arguably number one. Michelle should’ve won the Oscar for this scene alone. Every best actor/actress winner has “the scene” they win it for. Christoph Waltz in the intro to Ing. Basterds was his. This should’ve been hers.
These two don't look each other in the eye more than a few times in this scene. One looks away, the other looks up at them. 1:52 he's watching her and she's looking to the side. About 1:56 she looks back at him, he looks away again. When she starts pleading with him, you only see his eyelids, and she doesn't take her eyes off of him. She even leans in and under to make sure he sees her. Until 3:34 when he says "there's nothin' there." They're both looking at each other, for the first time in the scene, and it only serves to show her how hollow he is. He can't even let someone tell him they were too hard on him. No punishment will be good enough for Lee.
How real this conversation feels and how natural it flows is really what gives it that emotional, crushing depth. Such a beautifully acted scene, gets me everytime.
She never disappoints. She gets her scenes down. Her accent is spot on and not over-cooked like you see with too many supposed method actors. She's truly one of the world's top actors.
I saw this movie when I was really in a low point in my life and I could honestly say I don't regret watching it. It was such a great movie about shame and guilt that you think it would of made my pain worse but it didn't. The comedy and deepseeded love between all the characters showed me that there is always light in the darkest of tunnels and I came out of the studio with appreciation. This scene however hit the hardest of all because I was the same way at one point and alot of my family was scared for me and my well being saying how "your just existing" and it hurt them to hell. This movie isn't for everyone but those who have been through guilt and hardship can for sure have a connection in this film especially for how well it was filmed.
Some grief cannot be overcome, and it is exemplified in the film. You can both relate and strive to do better than Affleck in the movie, and I believe you can do both.
What a powerful scene. I do not recall crying for a movie scene. I am a grown man but man o man. This scene I remember watching for the first time, I cried my heart out. Tears wouldn't stop coming. Unbelievable. Well deserved Oscar. Luckily back then awards are based on the actor performance and not "external" variables.
this guy really captures clinical depression, hence the oscar. it is an odd feeling. other people going about their jobs and living their lives and someone is home, and the're alive still. depression just feels like an emptiness when everyone else is present and there. you feel like someone talking to you like she is talking, and they want to interact with you and you feel like they are wasting their time talking to you because there really is nothing there for them. he did an amazing job portraying that. in the end, you see there may be some small hope of him having at least a relationship with his nephew, which will amount to occasional phone calls and visits. this man can't be cured.
Everyone gangsta until Casey shakes his head, deeply sighs and holds back those tears. This scene is so naturalistic you can feel it within your mind, heart and soul.
"There's nothing there" That heart-wrenching moment when he finally just says it. Also kudos to Michelle Williams for delivering a cliched line 'My heart was broken' in such a powerful way.
The symbolism is so well done in this film. I kept noticing how it showed "the sea" frozen over, especially when he is at the attorney's office and remembering the fire. The sea is like his heart.. being frozen and "nothing there". In the beginning of the film shows him on the boat with his brother fishing, and the sea is not frozen. This is also true at the end of the film, which is just beautiful to me. Showing him fishing with his nephew. To me that shows that there is some hope that he will be able to finally move beyond his grief. The Sea in this film is his heart.
I think it’s a very important line because she’s technically “moved on” but it underscores the reality that she will never be able to truly move on and is broken at her core just like him.
The kind of talent it takes to pull off a scene like this is ... The way I see it good acting is like the bass in a band , you don't really notice it but you'll know if its not there but great acting , you won't notice it till a point when its too believable that pulls you out and you realise these are actors . Some of the best acting ever put to screen.
Agreed, casey has been around too much with this kind of acting, he was solid on out of the furnace you know that scene when he face to face with woody Harrelson I just can feel his rage
This is why the Academy and all these other guilds/awards shows need to come up with some sort of regulations for the supporting actor roles. In a matter of minutes, Michelle Williams has given one of the best, if not the best, performances of the year, across the board, and yet, she's not received any recognition, because someone in a leading role (or the production team backing her movie) decided that she wants to run in the supporting category. It's super annoying! It is also annoying to read these article saying that Viola Davis has been winning these awards (and will win the Oscar), because "she's due to win." She is an excellent actress, but so is Williams. AND Williams has been nominated 4 times (to Davis' 3) without a win, so who is really due to win, if we're judging based on that? When an actor can elevate a supporting performance (she couldn't have more than 12-15 minutes of screen time, right?) to that of the performance of the year, how can it not be recognized?? My heart aches every time that I watch this. Anyways, at least she'll have this clip for her film reel....
Honestly, the Oscars are worthless. Not completely, the award nowadays is more a sign of propaganda than recognition of the craft. I glad I watched this movie, very good performances and etc.. And the Oscars did just that for me: propaganda, exposition. Now, the so called "honour"... This is non-existent. You don't need to be upset about something that has no true valour.
Although Moonlight is one of the best movies I've seen this year, this one is right there with it...you had to know Hollywood would kowtow and give lots of awards to black films/actors/actresses after the whole #OscarsSoWhite BS that was pulled last year...it shouldn't matter your skin color, whoever is deserving should win instead of Hollywood handing out Oscars to people because some woman started a Twitter hashtag...FYI she's been doing the same here lately trying to stop Confederate from getting made (by the GOT writers no less) before anyone even sees the damn script
I've seen thousands of movies and this may be the most heart-wrenching scene I can recall. So much subtlety and surprise in such a short, almost mundane encounter. How much pain in his forcing out "very handsome" to describe the new baby of the love of his life with someone else? How much weight on it of "their" babies no longer there? That "I love you" which escapes her was such a surprise. Not that she felt it, but that she let it spill out of her in words. And his "There's nothing there." Not meaning that toward her, but toward himself - that he's just a shell full of pain and the person he was is just a walking ghost. Sweet Christ, it's an absolute killer.
this is one of the most amazing scenes in all of cinema. This woman can make me cry like no one else ever has. This is beyond acting. It is so real to life.
I disagree. There is something there. But he can't open up. That's why he goes to bars to pick fights. So he can get beaten. The beatings are a way for him to be punished, which helps him live with his guilt. Getting beaten physically makes him feel better. Not "good", just better.
@@robertwong4060 I agree 💯 percent! It’s almost like what a “cutter” does, they cut themselves to feel pain cause otherwise they don’t feel anything. Lee uses the fights to punish himself, to feel pain...any other emotions he ever felt- prior to the horrific incident, he will not allow into his heart- he doesn’t want to heal, cause he refuses to forgive himself. He doesn’t know how and he thinks he doesn’t deserve it.
This scene is just fucking devastating and subtlety in the performances is what makes it. How she's apprehensive at first but clearly she's thought about this for a long time... about what she'd want to say to him, if she ever had a chance. The way she looks at him when he calls Dylan "handsome." The way she blurts out "I love you" and starts calling him honey. Her love for him is so deep that this tragic accident, a new marriage and baby couldn't change that, even all these years later. And he just can't accept it or forgive himself. Truly heartbreaking, but brilliant acting by both here.
“There’s nothing there” i know what this mean; he has no feelings, he can’t hate, can’t love, can’t cry cause the tears just don’t wanna come out, can’t forget, can’t live a normal life and just passing the time! I know cause i am like lee too. My fav. Movie for all time I love u lee my friend so much🖤
Mario Lanzas just because your uncultured ass didn’t love it, doesn’t mean Black Panther wasn’t an excellent film. I’m so sick of comedies and fantasy being considered as “less than” picking the saddest or the slowest paced movie is lazy. It’s easy. The oscars are so pretentious and that’s why it’s failing. Green Book was so problematic. Black Panther was gripping, visually beautiful, inspiring, fully engaged with modern issues, thrillingly zeitgeisty and with TERRIFIC performances. It deserved it.
I'm a 22 year old guy and I've never cried in a movie up until i watched this. Then i just saw this clip and it made me cry again. This is probably the only movie that has made me feel what the actors are feeling.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but read the synopsis. Her vulnerability is crushing. The fact that she still loves him and he probably still loves her. I would like to think I wouldn't say anything cruel to my husband if I were in this situation but it's also understandable. I hate the idea of ever hurting my husband when he already feels bad. The pain she shows makes me want to be a better wife.
If you see the movie and witness what both of them went through, you can't help but respect her strength to reconcile with him in this scene. Def recommend seeing the movie, it definitely does an amazing job setting up the characters and what brought them to this moment, its just heartbreaking beyond words.
I'm sure you have watched right now so i think i can say this. He's def love her, that's why he never sleep with other women, cuz he still loves her very much (and probably still feel guilty about what he did). I really like this movie, it's very realistic, depressing but actually full of love, everybody seems to really care about each others.
Want to be a better wife? Go in the kitchen and make him a sandwich, clean the house, other sexists stuff, then give him a bj.... ha! Jk..... but seriously.... go make him a sandwich.. no pickles!
I felt the same way! After watching this, I told my husband that awful things happen in life and we should just be good to each other and appreciate what we have and... I was a MESS. And yes I think he still loves her, but I also think that that isn't the whole reason he doesn't sleep with anyone else. I think he just doesn't want to feel better. Not ever, even for a minute.
@@williameyelash8053 I love how there are people out there who feel the same way. I saw some great acting and great scripts from so many people and so many angles, but this is somehow more real than anything else.
There are some different interpretations to this but he is 100% saying that he is dead inside. His heart is gone. He hates himself and he is just living life out dealing with his constant guilt. Thats why he didnt want to get any furniture for his new place. He didnt want to do anything special for himself because he hated himself.
This scene is too much, its too painful, but every year I come back to it at least once to feel this pain over again and take in this performance and this brilliantly crafted piece of art that excels so very much at making me feel for characters like few pieces of media can. Exceptionally well done
I'll never forget the first time I watched this film.The scenes of tragedy, the police station aftermath and this specific scene are so well acted that it hits you as real. It's there a better comment anyone involved could recieve? I don't think there is. When the tragedy hits in the film it will knock the wind out of you! So brutal trying to live a happy life after that. I don't know if it is even possible to be truly happy after an incident of that magnitude.
When you see this scene in the context of the story it just rips your heart out. This now divorced couple went through the most horrific tragedy you can imagine and could not continue together. Randi (Michelle Williams) has moved on and begun to build a second life, but Lee (Casey Affleck) cannot get out of the guilt and loss of his past. She still loves him and he still loves her but he cannot allow himself to feel because his grief and guilt are too great.
How often do you see a movie that understands the sporadic rhythm of conversation so well and applies it so flawlessly. I’ve never seen such a realistic and emotional interaction in film before. Inspiring.
If you have not seen this film you need to asap. Close RU-vid, or rent it on RU-vid and watch it. If you love acting and actors giving everything in them to a role, then you will thoroughly appreciate "Manchester by the Sea".
Holy crap those are the realest tears and crying I’ve ever seen in a movie... it’s like when you can’t breathe and your talking fast cuz your breath is short... it’s so tragic because you feel it. It’s not the pretty fake tears, it’s the heart wrenching “I will never be healed tears”. And I’ve never seen them in a movie before. And the LINES. It’s like actual talking not a script. You can’t finish what you’re saying, some of it doesn’t make sense, but they make sense when you’re saying them. It feels so real. Damn
One of the most authentic, emotional, and painful scenes in any movie I've ever watched. Brilliantly restrained acting by both of them. Took me 2 years to rewatch this film; I know it will always wreck me.
