Sundown

Greetings again from the darkness. How quickly we make assumptions and judge the actions of others. We all do it, and writer-director Michel Franco (NEW ORDER, 2020) seizes on this common human trait in this unconventional film centered on a man who simply doesn't act like we expect him to. Because of our tendencies to judge, Franco is able to confound, even frustrate us, by slowly revealing details that we wouldn't have guessed.

To pull this off, the filmmaker needs and receives a tremendous performance from Tim Roth. The actor takes a much different approach than his usual animated tic style, and here is exceedingly understated ... so much so that we are a bit uncomfortable watching him. He rarely speaks and seems distant from the others. The film opens with a family vacationing in Acapulco. They are clearly well-to-do folks, as evidenced by the stunning resort suite. Neil (Mr. Roth) and Allison Bennett (Charlotte Gainsbourg) are on holiday with two older kids Colin (Samuel Bottomley) and Alexa (Albertine Kotting McMillan). Our assumptions about what we are seeing are in full bloom, and that continues when Allison receives a call about a family tragedy.

As the family frantically packs and rushes to the airport for an early flight home, Neil claims to have left his passport at the hotel and will catch the next flight home. Instead, the film and Neil take a much different path ... one that leads to Neil becoming even more withdrawn. He moves into a cheap motel and spends his time lounging on the beach with a bucket of Coronas by his side. He befriends Berenice, a local played by Iazua Larios. Yet even then, Neil puts forth little effort to communicate. We keep asking, "What is wrong with him?" "What is he doing?" These are the same questions Allison asks when she returns to confront him.

As viewers, we are constantly revising the conclusions we previously jumped to as the details slowly eek out. This will likely cause frustration for some viewers, especially since Neil is not a likable guy - he just gives us nothing to relate to. Checking out from the pressures of one's life is never as romantic as it might sound, yet Neil seems extremely comfortable with his decisions. Class and cultural differences are at play here, and it's possible Roth and the film are at their best when answers aren't being provided. At least that's when the most tension is present. Franco's film is an unusual one, and certainly not one that everyone will appreciate, but he and Roth give us plenty to digest.

Opening in select theaters on January 28, 2022.

At the beginning, say, 20 minutes into the film I, like probably everybody else, kept thinking what an asshole. Right in the middle I made a decision I never want to be really rich or go to Mexico, even on a short holiday. At the end I realized it was the best film about the fear of death I've ever seen.

Sundown is a film that I find difficult to explain why I enjoyed it. It's definitely not for everyone, but I was pleasantly surprised since I expected it to be more on the pretentious art film side of the spectrum.

I didn't know anything about the main character at the beginning of the film, and slowly discovering more about him over the course of the film was really interesting. The pacing is consistent, although for some it may be a bit too slow, with entire scenes that have no dialogue. I personally thought this made it feel more authentic, as there were no forced conversations for the sake of drama.

It's very much a drama, but there was an element of mystery there. In the beginning, I didn't understand the motivations of Roth's character, I didn't understand the full scope of what they were going through. Piecing it all together as the film progressed was very rewarding, and the ending gave more closure than I was expecting (movies like this tend to end abruptly).

It's a 7.5/10 for me. I wouldn't recommend it to those that like plot heavy movies or dislike character studies, but I enjoyed it far more than I was expecting.

An incredible character study masterfully played by Tim Roth. SUNDOWN is a slow burn but beautifully shot, regardless of the paradisal surroundings. Those surroundings, ironically become more and more uncomfortable, too, as that burn starts to get hot, but never scalding.

Even though the mystery of Neil increases, there is never that "aha!" moment. That Roth expected diatribe shouting out the why's and wherefores in that incredible London accent of his. Instead, SUNDOWN provides a lazy tale of maddening degeneration, domestic beer, and, just perhaps, true love.

Totally worth watching. And totally entertaining. Totally wish, though, that the resolution was equally compelling.

Unusual, interesting film that doesn't fully succeed to be what it is until it ends. That finale causes everything that occurred earlier to make sense, but this will be a slow go for those seeking more immediate answers to the puzzling behavior of the lead character, excellently portrayed by Tim Roth. The entire cast is fine, but it is his show. Ultimately, a touching, intriguing film for the patient.