Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageSunshine (1973)
Director: Joseph Sargent
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Based on a true story and originally made for TV (where it ran 130 minutes), this contains some redeeming features behind its blandness. At worst it's the Love Story of the Woodstock generation, with its couple and their alternative society patronisingly depicted for a mass audience (John Denver's songs being entirely consistent with this vision). Its plot - young, beautiful mother, dying from a malignant tumour - for the most part places the film firmly in the realms of Hollywood's Terminal Casebook. However, Carol Sobieski's script manages to hint at deeper things. Kate, the heroine (Raines), appears sympathetic and misguided in turns, and the tensions that her illness cause are treated with some integrity. Equally, the sustained and irritating zaniness of her husband (De Young) in the face of something he can't and doesn't want to comprehend is absolutely right. She is left recording her thoughts into a tape recorder while he has an affair with the neighbour. That she dies a human being, rather than in the angelic limbo usually reserved for such occasions, remains some sort of achievement. But the valid confusions of the script become dissipated by the direction. Thus, in the context of Sargent's pedestrian direction, Kate's 'Life was just so incredibly beautiful' takes on an unintended irony.Author: CPe
User reviews of this film
-
- Jaimie Fowler said...
- Posted on Sep 24 2010 21:25 It is for sale at Jdvds1994.com for 18.99
- Report as inappropriate
-
- heidi said...
- Posted on Mar 12 2010 12:32 i loved the movie cried my eyes out can't forget it where can i buy it
- Report as inappropriate
-
- donna said...
- Posted on Apr 06 2009 15:45 saw it in the 70s never forgot it where can i buy it anyone know?
- Report as inappropriate
-
- lizz said...
- Posted on Jan 16 2009 20:34 The first movie I ever seen. I never forget it. I to would like to know where I can get it.
- Report as inappropriate
-
- DON said...
- Posted on Dec 02 2008 22:59 i too would like to know where i can buy 1973 sunshine in New ZEALAND OR AUSTRALIA
- Report as inappropriate
-
- beverly said...
- Posted on Jul 30 2008 06:54 hey found movie release 4 19.99 plus at jdvds1994.com w/seq
- Report as inappropriate
-
- beverly said...
- Posted on Jul 30 2008 06:32 named daughter after this film looking to buy movie as a present 4 her can anyone help?
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Sebastian said...
- Posted on May 05 2008 06:06 Great moving movie and heart warming I remember seeing it back in the 70's, never seen it again on TV, can some please email me if Sunshine 1 & 2 are available on DVD, Thanks.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Joseph Sargent
Producer: George Eckstein
Cast: Cristina Raines, Cliff De Young, Meg Foster, Brenda Vaccaro, Billy Mumy, Corey Fischer full cast
Duration: 103 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now