Writer-director John Sayles weaves together the beauty, grime, and history of Florida in Sunshine State. The rumbling approach of real estate developers on a sleepy island sets the leisurely paced plot in motion. Sayles takes his time introducing his characters, gradually revealing how their lives intertwine, and, as always, teases magnificent performances out of his actors. Edie Falco is quietly brilliant as Marly, running an old-guard motel as progress marches on, and regarding the men in her life with a wry practicality. Mary Steenburgen gifts a small role with marvelous, spoiled humanity in a deft comic turn, and Angela Bassett slowly unfurls her character's depth with the elegance of a true pro. Sunshine State is a simple story, but never clichéd, possessing a glow worth basking in. --Ali Davis
(15 votes)
2.
Welcome to Delorna Beach and the 2nd Annual Buccaneer Days! Take a trip! Take a drive! See Florida Today!
Oceanfront motels. T-shirt shops. Golf courses. Palm trees. Sandy beaches. Condominiums. Man-eating alligators. Indians, pirates, Spanish gold, sea Island plantations. "People don't realize how hard it is to invent a tradition." - Francince Pinckney
Change is coming to Delrona Beach, Florida, assaults on every front. Here's Marly (Edie Falco) running her father's motel and hating every minute of it. Lester and Greg (Miguel Ferrer and Perry Lang) will stop at nothing to buy the motel, and Dad (Ralph Waite) will never sell. Mom (Jane Alexander) is living in her own dream world down at the community theater and off at the Audubon meetings, saving what's left of the natural habitat.
Marly's wasting away in Margaritaville, dodging her ex-husband (Richard Edson), losing her golf pro (Marc Blucas) and tempted by the new guy in town (Timothy Hutton) even though he is definitely working for the other side.
Here's Desiree (Angela Bassett) back for her first real visit home since she left under a cloud 25 years ago. She doesn't trust her mother Eunice (Mary Alice) and won't be drawn into staying in the black enclave of Lincoln Beach, even though family friend Dr Lloyd (Bill Cobbs) works her pretty hard.
Dr. Lloyd is up against it, fighting off the Plantation in the person of promoter Northrup (Sam McMurray) whose battles with the black community go way back. Trophy husband Dr. Reginald Perry (James McDaniel) does his best to fit in, but he's worried about the old boyfriend Flash Phillips (Tom Wright), and nobody's comfortable with the boy Eunice has taken in, young arsonist Terrell (Alex Lewis)
Chamber of Commerce stalwart Francine Pinckney (Mary Steenburgen) keeps a smile on her face and pom poms high, championing Buccaneer Days through its course. She's too busy to see much of banker husband Earl (Gordon Clapp) whose gambling debts are giving him problems of his own.
From acclaimed writer/director John Sayles (Lone Star, Passion Fish) comes an unforgettable portrait of a richly diverse Florida town threatened by real estate developers. Edie Falco, Angela Bassett and Timothy Hutton lead a remarkable ensemble cast.
A tidal wave of change is coming to Delrona Beach, Florida. Out of state developers have descended upon the sleepy coastal community with the promise of big bucks and bigger changes. Torn between honoring family obligations and the lure of quick cash, the locals greet the outsiders with a wildly mixed reception. Maryl (Falco, TV's The Sopranos) is eager to sell the family business and start her life over. As caretaker to her father's motel and restaurant, she's grown resentful of missed opportunities, but finds a glimmer of hope in a tentative romance with a visiting landscape architect (Oscar winner Timothy Hutton). Desiree (Oscar Nominee Angela Bassett) left town years ago to escape a scandal and make a name for herself as an actress. Reluctantly returning home, she finds her strong willed mother (Mary Alice) unwilling to let go of the past.
Co-starring Mary Steenburgen, James McDaniel, Jane Alexander and Ralph Waite, Sunshine State is a winning tribute to everyone who lives and works in a land of dream realized and dreams deferred.
(15 votes)
Mooviees.com is not the official site for this film.
All editorial views and opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposes only.
Movie Database
In Theaters
