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Manchester by the Sea Oscar-nominee Michelle Williams hasn't seen Manchester by the Sea

She previously avoided seeing it because she didn't want to cry in front of an audience

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 25 January 2017 11:57 GMT
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Michelle Williams is yet to see Manchester by the Sea, the film that has earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

In fact, the acclaimed drama from director Kenneth Lonergan has been nominated for a total of six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for rising star Lucas Hedges and Best Actor for Casey Affleck (something Constance Wu is not happy about).

While Williams is clearly overwhelmed to be deservedly recognised for her understated work in the film, she revealed to The Wrap she's actually yet to see the end product.

“I’ve seen some scenes from the movie,“ she said. “I haven’t actually watched [it].

“My friend and I were going to see it at a theatre in Brooklyn today (24 January), but I got called into work.“

The affecting drama follows Lee Chandler (Affleck), an uncle who is asked to become the legal guardian of his nephew (Hedges) when the boy's father dies.

Oscars 2017: Our film team discuss who will win and who should

When asked if she knew the film would become an awards contender, the Blue Valentine actor - who has previously been nominated three times - replied: “Good Lord, no.”

She does, however, reflect upon her experience working with You Can Count On Me and Margaret filmmaker Lonergan with fond memories.

“I love these kinds of sets - they’re the ones I’m the most comfortable with. It was just another barely-held-together independent film production. We were cold and hungry and tired. But we believed in Kenny.“

The film was released in cinemas the same day as Damien Chazelle's La La Land which matched the Oscar nominations record held by All About Eve and Titanic

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