"I can't beat it" - a Christmas message?

This week I saw one of the most depressing movies I have seen in a while - "Manchester by the Sea." I thought, "why would anyone want to see this at Christmas?" The main character has a significant misfortune in an otherwise dysfunctional life. By his carelessness his house burns killing his 3 kids. His wife survives and turns against him in her pain. This is a terrible event causing him much guilt and anger. His brother dies prematurely from heart failure. This seems to be a metaphor for the main character, who dies in a way by shutting down his heart. The movie ends with the main character going through the motions of life, letting no one in. He finally confesses, "I can't beat it!"

The writer seems to want to communicate a cynical view of life - that we cannot really overcome the emotional toll of pain in life. All of the other characters try to force themselves to live on. They function, but without real purpose, hope and joy. They use each other to get their needs met, but they carry their own sense of despair at some level. Everyone is subject to random events that destroy ife. The writer even tosses in a little Christianity as an element of the futility.

Its interesting that Hollywood usually likes to show some hope in life through self "boot strapping." The power of positive thinking is sometimes a solution to hopelessness. Sometimes its through doing something nice for others. These stories seem to make the audience feel better. BUT, for some reason the writer and producers of "Manchester by the Sea" wanted the message at Christmas to be despair, emphasizing the futility of life.

I left feeling empty at first. Then I thought, this is the Christmas message. they just didn't finish the story. No one "can beat it." We are hopeless, no chance for joy. Random evil wins. Bullies win.

THEN CAME THE BABY!!

Merry Christmas ......