I watched this movie simply based on its black and white poster
[via: http://thatwasjunk.com/2011/03/04/the-sunset-limited-2011]
I watched this movie simply based on its black and white poster with Sam Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones and the log line “Two men in an apartment with their opposing beliefs.” Amazing right? Well I thought so before I watched the movie.
Now, I know this movie states “two men in an apartment,” but I had no idea it takes place 100% in said apartment. The movie starts with White sitting at Black’s table. Yes, White and Black. White is Tommy Lee Jones and Black is Sam Jackson. RACIST! It’s my theory that the writer (Cormac McCarthy, famous for the novels No Country for Old Men and The Road) did this on purpose to make the characters more abstruse to the audience since their names are never said during the movie. As Black and White begin talking, we learn that White was preparing to throw himself in front of a train, the Sunset Limited, and Black came in, grabbed him, and and prevented him from ending his life. Black brings White back to his “middle of da hood” apartment and they get into a 90 minute existential conversation.
Now, I must extend a strong warning. If long winded dialog, philosophical debate, a lack of characters or a movie taking place in one single location bothers you, then this movie is, in no way, for you. Sunset Limited is a movie whose main theme seems to be opposites. Black is a southern “ignant” ex-con Christian who is deep in his faith and loves life while White is an atheist college professor is who tired of life. What makes this movie so dang good is both characters trying to convince each other what the elementary point of life is. White is convinced that it’s all for nothing. That life is dark and empty while Black thinks there is so much more to life.
The duo spend the movie debating life, love, behavior and God. Normally my attention span wouldn’t be able to focus on the conversation of 2 people, but the subject matter had me glued to my my idiot box. Jones’ acting is very flat, dead pan and nonchalant in many parts of the movie. This bothered the hell out of me at first until I realized that his character just doesn’t really care. This is a man who, only minutes before, was ready to end his life. This is a man who has just given up. If you fail to realize that, Internet, then you’re probably going think Jones’ acting is crap. But really, it’s the opposite -it’s friggin awesome! Sam Jackson does nothing new in this role but he does “nothing new” great like always. He is this optimistic, exultant character; he’s Jones’ opposite. Black is there to convince White to find God and to not kill himself.
I wish I could say a bunch about Tommy Lee Jones’ direction but there wasn’t much there. The camera movements are nothing to tell grandma about and the movie just plays out like a regular movie -shot, reverse shot and conventional editing of conversations. At times, it felt like I was watching a stage play which really makes sense since it’s a reenactment of Cormac McCarthy’s stage play. I just don’t like that feeling.
Sunset Limited just felt like 2 guys, two friends perhaps, having a regular conversation. It’s something that sometimes happens to the That Was Junk crew when we have down time. The strong acting and strong content is what makes this movie watchable for those who can pay attention long enough. This movie felt real and I was actually able to put myself in their conversation. Whether you’re a fan of J. Biebz or an intellectual who likes contemplating the existence of ants, this movie will make you think . I like movies that make me think.
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