Sunshine State (2002)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

John Sayles

Writer (WGA):

John Sayles (written by)

Release Date:

26 July 2002 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Greetings from ...

Plot:

A woman and her new husband returns to her hometown roots in coastal northern Florida, and must deal with family, business, and encroaching real estate development.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Florida | Land Developer | Vandalism | Ocean

Awards:

6 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Alex Lewis	...	Terrell
Alan King	...	Murray Silver
Cullen Douglas	...	Jefferson Cash
Clifton James	...	Buster Bidwell
Eliot Asinof	...	Silent Sam
James McDaniel	...	Reggie Perry
Angela Bassett	...	Desiree Perry
Edie Falco	...	Marly Temple
Amanda Wing	...	Krissy
Timothy Hutton	...	Jack Meadows
Perry Lang	...	Greg
Miguel Ferrer	...	Lester
Gordon Clapp	...	Earl Pinkney
Kyle Meenan	...	Dick Yordan
Mary Steenburgen	...	Francine Pinkney

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, a sexual reference and thematic elements.

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (No. 38631) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:PG | Finland:K-11 | Germany:o.Al. | Norway:A | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Amelia Island, Florida, USA

Company:

Anarchist's Convention Films

Trivia:

The restaurant that Reggie Perry and Desiree Stokes Perry stop at to get directions at is at a actual motel in Yulee Florida. The beach store that is supposedly across the street is actually several miles away on Ameila Island.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the conversation between Desiree and her mother on the beach, the door to the house is suddenly closed, though there is no evidence of anyone having closed it and it makes no sound.

Quotes:

Delia Temple: I must say, my youthful aspirations had nothing to do with becoming the Sarah Bernhardt of Delrona Beach. We adjust.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hey Arnold! The Movie (2002)

Soundtrack:

Behind the Dunes

If it sounds like Altman, and it looks like Altman...

(2002/John Sayles) ***1/2 out of ****

"In the beginning.....there was nothing."

Small towns are often used as the backdrop for many films, but seldom is the concept often explored. "Sunshine State", like many other films that tackle the concept, offers a slice of life into the world of the people who inhabit a small town, which is, in this case, a beach front town in Northern Florida.

Plantation Island is a picturesque small town. It's residents include many people ranging from different races, including whites, blacks, and Native Americans. But it goes a little deeper. Some of the characters are native to the area, some are just visiting. Edie Falco plays a down-to-earth motel owner, Timothy Hutton plays a land developer, Angela Bassett plays a woman who has just returned to the island after having left when she was 15, and Bill Cobbs plays a retired doctor who doesn't like where the future of the town is going. Throw in a couple of philosophical golf players, and there you have the island of Plantation.

This film has Robert Altman stamped all over it. And that's basically what it is: a toned down mosaic of Floridians, that looks like it was done by Robert Altman himself. This is a very good movie, with deep characters and a story with multiple layers. But the story and scenery can't make up for the periodic lulls here and there. All in all, an above average film that is worth a look.

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