Sunshine State (2002)
73%RT Audience Score: 57%
Awards & Nominations: 7 wins & 3 nominations
Wonderfully acted, but the story and pacing can use a little work
Sunshine State is a movie that’s got a lot on its mind, but don’t worry, it’s not one of those boring films that tries to be all deep and meaningful without actually being entertaining. No, this one’s got a great cast, including Edie Falco who’s amazing as always, and it’s set in South Florida, which is basically like a character in itself. Sure, it’s not perfect, and some critics might say it’s a bit unfocused, but who cares? It’s still a fun and interesting movie that’s definitely worth checking out.
Production Company(ies)
X-Filme Creative Pool Westdeutscher Rundfunk ARTE
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Amelia Island, Florida, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, a sexual reference and thematic elements
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 21m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2002 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Edie Falco, Angela Bassett, Jane Alexander, Ralph Waite, James McDaniel, Timothy Hutton, directed by John Sayles, written by John Sayles, drama, PG-13, Maggie Renzi, box office, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, Adam Nayman, Peter Howell, Robert Denerstein, Rick Groen, Steve Davis, Stuart Klawans, Emanuel Levy, Jeffrey Overstreet, Michael Dequina, Brett Buckalew, ensemble cast, Florida island, country-club resort developers, woman returning home, forced to sell restaurant and motel, thematic elements, sexual references, brief strong language, Sony Pictures Classics, surround sound, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, SDDS
Worldwide gross: $3,369,654
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,588,782
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,140
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 609,464
US/Canada gross: $3,065,921
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,085,022
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,807
US/Canada opening weekend: $93,072
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $154,366
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,771
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,600,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $9,287,950
Production budget ranking: 1,704
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $5,001,561
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$8,700,730
ROI to date (est.): -61%
ROI ranking: 1,753
Angela Bassett – Desiree Perry
Jane Alexander – Delia Temple
Ralph Waite – Furman Temple
James McDaniel – Reggie Perry
Timothy Hutton – Jack Meadows
Director(s)
John Sayles
Writer(s)
John Sayles
Producer(s)
Maggie Renzi
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
7 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (109) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (87) | Rotten (22)
Who wants to complain abut an American movie that has too much on its mind? … Best of all is Falco, whose bruised, brusque, soulful Southern girl banishes all traces of Carmela Soprano.
March 8, 2018
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
A fiercely intelligent South Florida mosaic.
August 20, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Nayman
eye WEEKLY
TOP CRITIC
Sunshine State resembles Sayles’ sketchbook more than his finished work, and we might hope that something more polished might spring from it.
August 9, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Sunshine State is an efficient helping of Sayles, insightful even when it’s not richly entertaining or imbued with apparent passion.
August 9, 2002 | Rating: B-
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
TOP CRITIC
Sunshine State has the structure, the theme, the style and, at 141 minutes, the length of a great John Sayles film. What it doesn’t have, alas, is the merit.
August 9, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
August 4, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
All this is admirable. I just wish Sayles would also put a little movie into the movie.
July 21, 2015
Stuart Klawans
The Nation
This well acted ensemble melodrama is not one of John Sayles’ strongest films.
July 22, 2011 | Rating: B-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Sayles’ writing is so good, and so convincing, he makes the experience more like reading a complex and well-researched novel than watching a movie.
December 6, 2004 | Rating: A-
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Click to read review
January 12, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
Sunshine State certainly ranks as one of the director’s richest, most satisfying films.
May 28, 2003
Brett Buckalew
FilmStew.com
Could have been much more than good, if only it didn’t seem so unfocused, and so many characters didn’t seem insufficiently explored.
January 30, 2003 | Rating: 76/100
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide…
Plot
Real estate developers descend upon a sleepy coastal Florida community with the promise of big money and bigger changes. Torn between honoring family obligations and the lure of quick cash, the locals greet the outsiders with a wildly mixed reception. Marly Temple is eager to give in and sell the family business to start over her life. As caretaker of her father’s motel and cafe, she has grown resentful of missed opportunities. However, she finds a glimmer of hope in a tentative romance with a visiting landscape architect. Desiree Perry left town many years ago to escape a scandal and make a name for herself as an actress. Reluctantly returning home, she finds her strong willed mother unwilling to let go of the past.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features a talented ensemble cast including Edie Falco, Angela Bassett, Jane Alexander, Ralph Waite, James McDaniel, and Timothy Hutton.
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