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Sunlight Jr.

Play trailer Poster for Sunlight Jr. 2013 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 32% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Financial strain, an unplanned pregnancy and an abusive ex threaten the stability of a poor couple's (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon) relationship.

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Sunlight Jr.

Sunlight Jr.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't offer much in the way of uplift, but Sunlight Jr.'s grim storyline is offset by Laurie Collyer's empathetic screenplay and strong performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon.

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Critics Reviews

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Susan Wloszczyna RogerEbert.com 11/15/2013
2.5/4
If Sunlight Jr. does anything, it is to shine a light on the fact that the American dream is dormant notion for far too many. Go to Full Review
Sara Stewart New York Post 11/14/2013
3/4
Collyer paints a sobering and important picture of the way many of us live now. Go to Full Review
Stephen Holden New York Times 11/14/2013
Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold. Go to Full Review
Allen Almachar The MacGuffin 07/28/2020
B-
The acting is without a doubt fantastic, but [the film] is so heavy, so solemn, and so discouraging. Go to Full Review
Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 08/29/2019
The highest praise here should be reserved for Collyer, once again proving she's adept at capturing a believable portrait of people living day by day through rough times and desperate moments. Go to Full Review
Amie Simon Three Imaginary Girls 03/02/2019
... obviously not going to be on anyone's "feel good" list-but it is a really great film. It's gritty and depressing and devoid of hope, but Watts and Dillon nail it. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Nesrin U Jun 19 Sunlight jr. İs slow, shallow, and ultumately pointless.justin's character adds nothing. See more 08/22/2020 When i read the logline i was hopeful because it sounded like something with depth; a couple on hard times expecting their first child. When I saw that Matt Dillon was in it I knew it was going to be good. I got more excited when i saw J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) did the soundtrack and the backdrop of a setting in Florida also sounded promising. Matt Dillon and Naomi Watts did the best they could with the overall " miss" of the story that could have been more than just one big downer. The soundtrack falls flat... Mostly just meaningless guitar noodling that didnt convey any type of emotion that could have drawn the viewers in. See more 06/08/2019 It’s a very apt portrayal of the people stuck in generational poverty, their lives and choices. It is empathetic, heartbreaking yet consoling all at once. See more 01/29/2019 1.29.19 NF w/Sh & J See more 02/19/2018 Not great, sad that it is realistic See more roger g 02/09/2018 I like Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon somewhat, but, this film does not portray, in the least, their acting ability. Really didn't like it. See more Read all reviews
Sunlight Jr.

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Movie Info

Synopsis Financial strain, an unplanned pregnancy and an abusive ex threaten the stability of a poor couple's (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon) relationship.
Director
Laurie Collyer
Screenwriter
Laurie Collyer
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co
Original Media
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 15, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 8, 2015
Runtime
1h 30m
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