December 26, 2016, theater. We both liked this well-received Kenneth Lonergan written and directed piece about a Quincy, MA custodian, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) called back to MbtS on the unexpected death of his brother, a local fisherman He has been living as a virtual penitent in relative isolation, fueled by alcohol and occasional violent encounters. Lee has his own dark history there and is not, to say the least, comfortable being there or taking care of his 16-yo nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges,) a hockey playing, hormonal adolescent seeking and hating love and caring Lee carries considerable baggage as to caretaking and responsibility, and the story follows their move forward that accepts the needs and limitations of both Michelle Williams as Lee’s ex-wife Randi does a major emotional star turn, and Ellie Teeves as Karen, Patrick’s mom with her own burdens, is an appropriately tragic and poignant mess Affleck’s flat Lee is sometimes a bit hard to fathom, but I think that’s part of the point I loved the presentation of the town and its focus on the ‘normal’ working folk who make this elite coastal village function Yes, it is more Gloucester than Manchester, and I know similar folk here in ‘toney’ Lexington. None forget and some never forgive Welcome to real life The visuals are never too glossy or overdone, but the area shines through These are roads we know and travel.