Review of That Evening Sun (2009) by Erno K — 02 Nov 2010

There are two kinds of movies. Others you watch with your friends and have a blast; these ones are probably very entertaining and action heavy blockbusters. Then there are the ones you watch alone, the ones where you reflect on life and shit. These stories are much more intimate and smaller in scale. I think I like these latter ones more.

The premise alone is ripe for an intriguing flick. An old man comes back to his former farm and finds it occupied. The old man refuses to leave and chooses to live in the small shack in front of the main building. The fascinating dynamic is set.

I liked how the film tries to tell both sides of the story. The new occupants' situation is elaborated on as well, and they have their own difficulties and are not evil people. However, all shreds of sympathy vanished when the drunk younger man kills the old man's dog. I mean what the fuck? It's brilliant how the geezer turns that to his advantage in the turf war, though.

There is a solemn feeling to the movie, as the old man is angry and bitter, and harbors great guilt about something that happened in the past. He has also grown distant of his son, and this relationship is explored in the film as well, albeit briefly.

In the end That Evening Sun is all about Meecham and his journey to cope with aging and the loss of his familiar home, among many other things, and Hal Holbrook is truly great in the role. His monologues to his dog are heartbreaking and moving.

I cherish these smaller films that evoke real emotions I can relate to (Well, not the I'm 80-years-old part). I hope all the superhero epics that are coming at us left and right won't ever stop people making these small, touching narratives.