“Manchester by the Sea” has the kind of pretentious name you’d expect from Oscar bait.

This is hardly new territory, the kind of depressing story meant to highlight one actor. Luckily, Casey Affleck knows his way around this character. Ladies and gents, I give you an incredible performance packaged in a film you either see once or skip.

Lee (Affleck) is quiet at work, save for those he snaps at. At night, he’s a nasty drunk. He wasn’t always like this. Once, he had a happy family with wife Randi (Michelle Williams). Not so much these days. But he better do something about his years-long funk, since his brother (Kyle Chandler) died and left him as guardian of his 16-year-old nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges).

Casey Affleck stars as Lee, who must face the demons of his past in “Manchester by the Sea.” (photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

The two learn to function together, while Lee navigates a town that’s riddled with every demon of his past. With each familiar street and old acquaintance, Lee reflects upon his past, reliving mostly terrible memories for him and Patrick.

This is a character piece built for the lead star – the Olympics of acting. There’s very little story, relying on backstory peppered throughout to present a small semblance of pace. Not much seems to happen in Manchester, making Lee’s inner war that much more profound. All he has is time to think.

Affleck’s career is all over the place. He might’ve been on the fast track if his second attempt at directing, “I’m Still Here,” proved to be more than “art” that only belongs in quotes (It was that weird film that chronicled Joaquin Phoenix’s year as a weirdo). Affleck’s never really had an iconic role before. This might be his crowning achievement.

He brings subtlety to the role when others might fall to their knees, crying, arms to the sky. Be warned, this is a painful subtlety. He’s not a likable guy. Every awful choice leads to more heartache. But those small, minuscule victories present the heart of this film and the true brilliance of Affleck’s performance.

The role has everything in Affleck’s wheelhouse: that East Coast accent, glazed over eyes and a general sense of discomfort. He’s very good in the role, but his name on the top of every best-of-the-best list is a bit baffling. Maybe the modesty of it all is what excites so many.

It’s hard to get excited about something bleak, slow and as bland as the little town in which it was filmed. Perhaps that’s the problem with awards season: so much powerful acting that doesn’t present most moviegoers with a connection. Certainly, if you’ve experienced trauma, “Manchester by the Sea” will resonate, but the amount of terrible things here is more than most ever experience, making it all feel a bit too scripted.

Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams star in “Manchester by the Sea,” a compelling drama destined for Oscar consideration. (photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

It’s worth saying most audiences won’t enjoy this film. But if you seek out films that display the craft of acting and filmmaking, if you find intellectual pleasure in a story that might not be satisfying in a blockbusting way, then “Manchester” is a welcome change to most of what’s at the box office right now.

I’m rather conflicted by this film, stunned by some of the acting and frankly bored by much else. Years ago, I’d rave about it without much rational thought about why. Now, I understand why but tend to wish for more of a plotline from every film I experience. “Manchester by the Sea” is engaging to a point. Beyond that point, the story rather gets lost at sea.