Fresh
Sunshine State resembles Sayles' sketchbook more than his finished work, and we might hope that something more polished might spring from it.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Overview
A woman and her new husband returns to her hometown roots in coastal northern Florida, and must deal with family, business, and encroaching real estate development.
Director and cast
- John Sayles Director
- Jane Alexander as Delia Temple
- Mary Alice as Eunice Stokes
- Angela Bassett as Desiree Perry
- Gordon Clapp as Earl Pinkney
- Bill Cobbs as Dr. Elton Lloyd
- Edie Falco as Marly Temple
- Miguel Ferrer as Lester
- Timothy Hutton as Jack Meadows
- Alan King as Murray Silver
- James McDaniel as Reggie Perry
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
80%
Tomatometer
Rotten
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.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Fresh
Sunshine State is an efficient helping of Sayles, insightful even when it's not richly entertaining or imbued with apparent passion.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Fresh
This is geographic history as personal history, a look at a vanishing world before the tide of progress immerses it. It's also superb independent filmmaking.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh
Sunshine State lacks the brilliance of Sayles' most dynamic offerings, but, for those who don't mind an unhurried, deliberate narrative pace, this is a worthwhile offering.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
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