MovieChat Forums > Sunlight Jr. (2015) Discussion > Had potential, but missed the mark- Seri...

Had potential, but missed the mark- Seriously needed development

posted 10 years ago by Oleander2010
3 replies | jump to latest

This movie had all the makings of an indie gem, but it fell short for me. I know it’s been rated positively, but I can’t help but feel that it never reached its full potential. The script was lackluster, and the soundtrack was at times corny and distracting. We had characters whom had the promise of being multilayered and interesting, but instead they failed to develop any depth. This also goes for the situations the characters found themselves in; they were presented and destined to be complex and intense, but weren’t explored or explained in a way that achieved complexity or intensity. Scenes jumped from one to the next without unfolding the prior. The whole thing felt very much like giving a child the tools to cut a diamond, and well, it’s obvious how that would turn out- the end result is still a diamond, but not a very attractive one. Some areas that I thought were under-explored were:

- The mother’s (Kathleen) demons and how they affected Melissa.

- More on the nature of Melissa’s relationship with Justin, and what he was all about. They showed a scene with him and his son driving, but the lack of exploration, made his character essentially unimportant to the plot.

- Richie's alcoholism was hardly examined or depicted.

- I would have liked to see more introspection from Melissa’s character (yeah, I know introspection is internal, but great movies are able to capture that essence for character development).

- There was no sign that Melissa was even heading towards an abortion, it just sort of happened and was tackled insignificantly. It should have been a major topic, but felt like “just another day.”

- The stories and situations were not related properly. For instance, one thing didn’t manifestly connect with the next thing, everything felt like detached occurrences in a sucky life.
=======================================================================

I was hoping for more tension as well. Even though the characters were in desperate circumstances, I was hardly able to "feel" their distress. The actors/actresses are talented, so I blame the script. The dialogue and the characters simply felt contrived.

Also, visually, and filming wise- I think it could have used more work. I believe the movie was supposed to invoke a sense of intimacy and empathy, from us, towards the characters; but there were very few close-ups and character perspective shots. The dissolve or fade transitioning between scenes felt cheap and “made-for-tv.”.

I don’t know, it wasn’t terrible, but I was a bit disappointed. I really do like these types of understated indie films, some that I really enjoyed on Netflix were: About Sunny, Entre Nos, Little Birds, Gardens of the Night, Which Way Home. They all had their faults, no movie is perfect, but I guess I feel like these movies did “it” better, if that makes any sense.

[–] Denise_Harrison 10 years ago

I just watched this film tonight. Your post is excellent and made me think about the film differently. But after I thought about it, I think I took away something a bit different than you may have.

First, to your points: I had to look to see what year the movie was made because the titles looked like something from the '80s. Maybe it was the fonts. Weird. I agree that the abortion decision didn't fit with what we had seen so far in terms of the character, at all. It made sense in context of what was happening, but I don't think we saw any fear or doubt from her before that.

The relationship with her mother -- I got all I needed from the scene when her mother was complaining about her bad night after Missy had just had her abortion.

As for introspection from the two main characters, I don't know, but I may have projected my own personal understanding of being in a sort of "life shock." These two may have trauma that just goes so deep (we saw what he was up against with his benefits, and the mom she grew up with) their emotions are now trained to remain inward. His reasons for shock are obvious. Hers are her mother and an ex who clearly hit or beat her and with her not having ever found a way to improve her life beyond a beater or a sad guy who can't do anything to provide for her and can't seem to do it herself (college).

Despite both the main characters' wishes that he would be the strong one and the provider, he isn't; she is the one earning money, and who is more mobile and who makes the decisions. So she has to be strong and, sadly, somewhat numb and staying in the logic side of her brain. And realizing they can't be parents together under the circumstances (right or wrong, that decision).

I agree with you that I never felt as much empathy for the characters as I'd expect in this sort of film. "In America" is one that comes to mind when characters in dire financial circumstances just tore me apart.

I can't help but wonder if we are meant to feel as numb as the characters might, if they are indeed in a sort of "life shock." So, I want to give this film a pass on a lot of criticisms, many of which I think you expressed so well.

And thank you for the great referrals for a bunch of films of which I had no knowledge! I made a note to check Netflix.

[–] GerFalcon 10 years ago

This movie was taken documentary style, just starting at moment X and ending at moment Y, no deep logic to it. Just a fragment of the lives of, for lack of a better word, white trash. I could relate to them nonetheless, all the information needed was given through their conversation and actions. A solid piece of work that depicts the inevitable cycle of depression as a result of poverty without a way out.
You can see them in the trailer parks, cramped housings and out in the open. We live in the same world but on totally different planes that only interact in crime. Sometimes you wonder where it all went wrong.

[–] sissywillard 8 years ago

Perfectly stated GerFalcon.

Some times less is more.
Not every script has to have a absolute beginning or an explosive ending, or even a happy ending.
It's clever to begin in the middle and finish without closure.

This film is just a small slice of the couple's life.
I think it's a brilliant effort.