Review of The Sunset Limited (2011) by Patrick E — 09 Mar 2011

The Sunset Limited.

"Nothing is ever black or white".

HBO has brought us a movie based on a play by Cormac McCarthy, which stars only Two, yes Two actors, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Before we indulge into the film itself, let's take a quick pause to do a very brief bio on Cormac McCarthy for those unfamiliar with his work. Cormac McCarthy is a novelist, playwright and screenplay writer. He has received a Pulitzer prize for "The Road", which is his most recent adapted novel, as well as a numerous other awards for books such as "All the pretty horses", which was also adapted into a film, as well as my personal favourite, "No country for old men" . An incredible film adapted by the Coen Brothers which won 4 academy awards including, "Best Picture".

The main reason I feel compelled to show a little prior history, and praise for McCarthy here is the simple fact that this movie rests entirely on the shoulders of 3 people , Samuel L Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Cormac McCarthy. Since this film is shot entirely in a single room, the audience is left with nothing to focus on, besides the dialogue, and the 2 seasoned actors conversation in a playwright format. To say you need a solid script to hold the audience's attention on a film such as this format is an understatement.

Samuel L Jackson plays a man named "black" who saves Tommy Lee Jones ("white") from throwing himself in front of a train, he then carries him back to his apartment , and with an underlying notion that shows his unselfishness for a stranger, Black deems this a moment brought on by Jesus himself. While he is empathetic to White, he is also stern in the fact that he cannot let White just up and leave his apartment without first being know as to why he is in a suicidal state. Samuel L Jackson fits this role brilliantly with his determined adamance, it's as if the old Chinese proverb is present "if you save somebody's life, you are responsible for them".

White does not see it this way as he asks "what am i? a prisoner here?" , Black proclaims "you know better then that, you were a prisoner before you got here".

White is a cultured intellectual who claims himself as a realist, but tends to focus mostly on the negative aspects, which is the seed to his depressive and suicidal state. Black is an ex-convict, stricken by poverty , who has been given a bad card in the world, displays his content with his life, as well as his faith in the salvation of the lord as he holds up the bible to white and asks "you read over 4000 books huh?, you ever read this book?" . What comes next is an enthralled discussion, which at times feels as much a therapy session for white, as it is for any members of the audience, which may render the same black-clouded, angst feelings about religion, history, culture and, the most important topic at hand, Life.

What makes this movie so great is that it emphasizes largely on faith, not only the faith in religion, which is indeed an element, but mostly the faith in ourselves, and the ever ongoing battle we have to carry on throughout life, when anything and everything is thrown in our path. It is a discussion that is willing to shine a light on all that may gather doubt in a person, all the might occur that could leave a person thinking suicide is an option.

Black has one quote that seems to resonate throughout the movie, something that strikes a chord, for anyone having a day going as self destructively as Whites, while it may not be something to live by, it is a thought to always keep in hand for such days. A simple uncompromising quip that gives us a real sense of Black's grimy but effective preaching that is so bold throughout the entire film............ "The sun don't shine up the same dog's ass everyday".

The sunset limited is a movie to really "hear", just as much as it is to see, it's a beautifully dialogued script, a movie which portrays itself exactly as if you are watching a play. Carried on through the emotions of two great actors, who are submerged in their characters so perfectly that they have you sitting listening to every word and every antidote with utmost concentration .It feels familiar, and almost personal while viewing, its if they are acting out your own idealisms and concerns with life that you have played over and over in your head.

Todd Vandale.