When people think about the powerful drama film, Manchester By The Sea they might overlook just how important the theme of fishing is to the plot. The opening scene follows two men and a boy as they embark on an exciting fishing adventure together.
The act of fishing is shown to be a bonding experience as well as a time of personal joy. It is an activity that allows each of them to forget the troubles in their lives. Later on in the story a man called Lee learns that a family member has passed away.
Lee is then force
d to adopt a teenage boy called Patrick, who wants to keep the fishing boat that was passed down to him. Much of the tension in the film concerns Lee and Patrick’s opinions on the boat. Lee believes that it is a financial burden, whereas the boy thinks they can make enough money if they put their minds to it.
At the end of the film the two of them refurbish the vessel and go out on a fishing trip together. This cleverly mirrors the start of the movie.
