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Sunshine State

Play trailer Poster for Sunshine State PG-13 2002 2h 21m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 110 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
This drama tells the story of a Florida island besieged by country-club resort developers. Included in the story are a woman (Angela Bassett) returning home after a long absence, and another woman (Edie Falco) who is forced to sell the restaurant and motel she inherited.

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Sunshine State

Sunshine State

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Critics Consensus

Wonderfully acted, but the story and pacing can use a little work.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 03/08/2018
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. Go to Full Review Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY 08/20/2002
4/5
A fiercely intelligent South Florida mosaic. Go to Full Review Peter Howell Toronto Star 08/09/2002
3/5
Sunshine State resembles Sayles' sketchbook more than his finished work, and we might hope that something more polished might spring from it. Go to Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine 02/16/2023
Another approach to engaging with and defanging anti-blackness in once-venerated cultural objects... Go to Full Review Stuart Klawans The Nation 07/21/2015
All this is admirable. I just wish Sayles would also put a little movie into the movie. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/22/2011
B-
This well acted ensemble melodrama is not one of John Sayles' strongest films. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B @Alec97 02/28/2024 It might be a little too short for its sprawling narrative but Sayles' deeply human characters shine through. See more Fong Kok Hoong F @RT29722865 07/23/2020 Parenthesized with a Greek chorus of golfers agitating nature on the leash, this is John Sayles' temperately crafted commentary on a menagerie of lives of past and present disaccord and reconcile in the face of the threat of a profit-making real estate development remodelling their locale. See more 01/05/2018 interesting film, well acted See more 09/22/2015 This is a film that is filmed on Amelia Island. It looks at the community of Amelia Island. I found the movie rather boring. This film lacks the action. I found it more interesting finding where things are filmed around Amelia Island. This movie is about being endangered, times have changed, and things being not like they used to be. Shares some characteristics to the Island but the names have changed. See more 04/23/2013 A1. Alan King monologues priceless. See more 10/30/2012 John Sayles' component film is a disappointment only because we expect so much more from him. A good film on the pressures of community and the price that individuals are willing to pay to "sell out". Nonethless, we expect more. See more Read all reviews
Sunshine State

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Cast & Crew

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John Sayles

Director

Edie Falco

Marly Temple

Angela Bassett

Desiree Perry

Jane Alexander

Delia Temple

Ralph Waite

Furman Temple

James McDaniel

Reggie Perry

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Sunshine State

Sunshine State (2002) Sunshine State (2002) Sunshine State (2002) Left: Edie Falco as Marty Temple Right: Marc Blucas as Scotty Duval. Left: Tom Wright as Flash Phillips Right: Angela Bassett as Desiree Perry. Mary Alice as Eunice Stokes. Left: Edie Falco as Marty Temple Right: John Sayles, The Director. James McDaniel as Reggie Perry. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This drama tells the story of a Florida island besieged by country-club resort developers. Included in the story are a woman (Angela Bassett) returning home after a long absence, and another woman (Edie Falco) who is forced to sell the restaurant and motel she inherited.
Director
John Sayles
Producer
Maggie Renzi
Screenwriter
John Sayles
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Anarchists' Convention
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Sexual References|Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 21, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.1M
Runtime
2h 21m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, SDDS
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