Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageSunshine State (2002)
Director: John Sayles
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Like City of Hope and the early scenes in Limbo, this is one of Sayles' multi-character social tapestries investigating a community in transition, striving to come to terms with its past and to sort out a future. This being a Florida beach resort, complete with a once segregated, once thriving black enclave, the real estate people have almost taken over (with a little help from local politicians), the wilderness is virtually extinct, and new histories have to be invented. Revolving around a couple of women - failed actress Bassett revisiting her mom after years away, motel proprietor Falco looking to escape the doomed family business - the film weaves together a typically vivid array of characters, relationships and stories over one difficult holiday weekend, its observations as politically astute, its dialogue as witty, and its performances as top-notch as we've come to expect from Sayles.Author: GA
Cast & crew
Director: John Sayles
Producer: Maggie Renzi
Cast: Edie Falco, Jane Alexander, Ralph Waite, Angela Bassett, James McDaniel, Mary Alice, Bill Cobbs, Gordon Clapp, Mary Steenburgen, Timothy Hutton full cast
Duration: 141 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now