It's work done between the lines, in the silent moments. On top of being a little too regular in certain spots to be all that interesting, the characters have questionable traits that are often reasonably forgivable, due to empathetic scripting and acting, but have times in which they distance, trying a touch too hard to establish depths to the character's flaws. | Fresh (24) The acting is without a doubt fantastic, but [the film] is so heavy, so solemn, and so discouraging. 2.5/5 - Fair. The well-intentioned film can't overcome a screenplay that feels more contrived as the problems pile up for the couple. The film is developmentally lacking, having a serviceable amount of characterization, but not much outside of the bare basics, offering hardly any immediate background, and falling too short in gradual flesh-out for the characters to feel all that interesting, or even consistently likable. ... obviously not going to be on anyone's "feel good" list-but it is a really great film. Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold. All rights reserved. Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. I've said it time and again, and I shall say once more that the film tries a little too hard, whether when it's flavoring up its characters with flaws or when its flavoring up its drama with bleakness, and when you couple these ambitious mistakes with such lazy mistakes as dragging and underdevelopment, natural shortcomings are impossible to forget, at least until the film comes to its conclusion and ironically becomes hard to remember. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. |, November 15, 2013 Urine tests and evictions, drunken brawls and rare outbursts of tenderness and grace. Shows american lives that the screen usually neglects. Okay, well, Collyer has a tendency to utilize a rather '90s-esque score and soundtrack that doesn't fit in the context of certain dramatic sequences it's placed over, which is distancing enough without the accompaniment of dry spells in Collyer's thoughtful direction, and yet, when Collyer gets a grip on style and thoughtfulness, the film is not only aesthetically sharp, but dramatically sharp, drawing on what depths this minimalist drama's narrative has in such a way that is emotionally effective at times, perhaps a little too much so. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. A compelling portrayal of the grinding life of America's working poor, brought into sharp focus by intense lead performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon. It doesn't offer much in the way of uplift, but Sunlight Jr.'s grim storyline is offset by Laurie Collyer's empathetic screenplay and strong performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon. If nothing else, the film tries a touch too hard to craft a heavy drama, being generally successful in being genuine, but with grim areas that challenge your tolerance of the drama, yet still not enough for you to disregard the dramatic limitations.
and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jake Gyllenhaal Will Star in HBO Limited Series. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets It's a sad, thoughtful film, and you leave it without much belief that things will get better for these characters - but you believe in them, which makes it even sadder. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Forgot your password? Yup, and once you round out that roster with Naomi Watts, coming off a little soon after "The Impossible" and, even more heartbreaking, "Movie 43" and "Diana" (Yeah, "Adore" doesn't seem so fall-flat anymore now does it, critics?) While the film occupies your time, however, it keeps a fair grip on your attention through all of its flaws, partly through such smaller strengths as the cinematographic ones. Sunlight Jr. has the heart in the right place but comes up short in many regards. It's gritty and depressing and devoid of hope, but Watts and Dillon nail it. Uncovers with rare candor on screen, the psychology, economic distress and depleting emotions layering over the lives of the US working poor today, and flipping the script on the American dream.

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies, | Rating: 3/4 Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. It belongs to Naomi Watts, playing a woman who retains her dignity in spite of endless difficulties.

Financial strain, an unplanned pregnancy and an abusive ex threaten the stability of a poor couple's (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon) relationship. Coming Soon. All rights reserved. It's gritty and depressing and devoid of hope, but Watts and Dillon nail it. The highest praise here should be reserved for Collyer, once again proving she's adept at capturing a believable portrait of people living day by day through rough times and desperate moments. SUNLIGHT JR. spotlights hard-working convenience store clerk Melissa (Naomi Watts) and her disabled boyfriend, Richie (Matt Dillon), who are trapped in a generational cycle of poverty. Don't have an account? Sobering, depressing and tedious, filled with far too much unresolved adversity and overwhelming despair to be recommended as 'entertainment.'. Free Movies Online: 200 Fresh Movies to Watch Online For Free, November 15, 2013 Collyer takes it all in, with a clear eye and no judgment. ", then I rest my case about Reedus' level of commercial success. Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. | Rating: B- | Rating: 2/4, April 18, 2014 Sunlight Jr. has the heart in the right place but comes up short in many regards. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold. If Sunlight Jr. does anything, it is to shine a light on the fact that the American dream is dormant notion for far too many. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. |, December 21, 2013
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By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Maybe I should say that this sad little drama isn't fooling anyone because no is seeing it, because when Dillon does get work, it's either this or "Takers"... which came out in 2010. Don't have an account?

Once the light has faded, a slow, underdeveloped and sometimes overly bleak telling of a minimalist story, backed by characters of limited intrigue and likability, render the final product underwhelming, while highlights in visual style, direction and writing, and a pair of strong performances by Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon secure "Sunlight Jr." as a fair, if forgettable character drama. Forgot your password? The acting is without a doubt fantastic, but [the film] is so heavy, so solemn, and so discouraging. It's a sad, thoughtful film, and you leave it without much belief that things will get better for these characters - but you believe in them, which makes it even sadder. Collyer takes it all in, with a clear eye and no judgment. Just confirm how you got your ticket. Urine tests and evictions, drunken brawls and rare outbursts of tenderness and grace.

Like many other films this year, such as 'Before Midnight' and 'Blue Is the Warmest Color,' it asks whether that's true and wonders if a couple might actually be better breaking up. All rights reserved. Find More Movie Quotes. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. According to Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of critics have given the film positive reviews, based on 37 reviews and an average rating of 5.92/10, while the aggregate consensus is "It doesn't offer much in the way of uplift, but Sunlight Jr.'s grim storyline is offset by Laurie Collyer's empathetic screenplay and strong performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon." × × View All. Copyright © Fandango. Regal Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". It belongs to Naomi Watts, playing a woman who retains her dignity in spite of endless difficulties. Man, I don't think this film is fooling anyone, going so far as to feature a cast that's depressing because, well, come on, remember that time when we thought Matt Dillion's career was going to stay consistently relevant? and the Terms and Policies, There isn't a whole lot of intrigue to this light, when not overly heavy story, and yet, those effective occasions would have trouble standing if the effective directorial highlights didn't have a fair bit of meat to draw upon, and sure enough, there is a certain weight to this dramatic narrative about the misfortunate seeing their situation turn to new lows in sour right when things were starting to look up, and it is done justice by both a decent, if flawed directorial performance and a decent, if very flawed script. Collyer never looks down on her characters; instead, her films have the quality of a good Springsteen song. SUNLIGHT JR. spotlights hard-working convenience store clerk Melissa (Naomi Watts) and her disabled boyfriend, Richie (Matt Dillon), who are trapped in a generational cycle of poverty. Copyright © Fandango. Like many other films this year, such as 'Before Midnight' and 'Blue Is the Warmest Color,' it asks whether that's true and wonders if a couple might actually be better breaking up. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! A compelling portrayal of the grinding life of America's working poor, brought into sharp focus by intense lead performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon. We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. |, July 28, 2020 I've heard this film described as "tedious", and while it's far from that, it's still pretty limp, crafting a mightily minimalist story concept into a brief, but still questionable runtime of just over an hour-and-a-half through repetitious meandering in material, sometimes backed by dry spells, and barely backed by all that much exposition. Sunlight Jr. has the heart in the right place but comes up short in many regards. Sign up here.