Manchester By The Sea (2016)

This is definitely a sad movie, but it doesn't feel as sad as the things it describes.  I have four more best picture nominees to watch, but this is the best so far.  And I am early in the viewing for Best Actor movies, but Casey Affleck absolutely nails this role.  It is a must see movie about the wear and tear of trauma and grief.  Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a man haunted by a tragedy from his past that he feels morally responsible for.  He leaves his home town and becomes largely absent in his own life as a result.  That is until his older brother dies young and leaves Lee as his guardian.  That pulls Lee back to the scene of his crime and he is not the only one who holds himself responsible for his actions.  As he says, he just can't shake it, he can't move beyond it, not even for his nephew.  It is sad and gritty and real, and very good.