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Sunshine State

PG-13 Released Jun 21, 2002 2h 21m Drama List
80% Tomatometer 111 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

View All (111) Critics Reviews
David Ansen Newsweek 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. Mar 8, 2018 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Feb 2, 2003 Full Review Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY A fiercely intelligent South Florida mosaic. Rated: 4/5 Aug 20, 2002 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Another approach to engaging with and defanging anti-blackness in once-venerated cultural objects... Feb 16, 2023 Full Review Stuart Klawans The Nation All this is admirable. I just wish Sayles would also put a little movie into the movie. Jul 21, 2015 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com This well acted ensemble melodrama is not one of John Sayles' strongest films. Rated: B- Jul 22, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (63) audience reviews
Alec B It might be a little too short for its sprawling narrative but Sayles' deeply human characters shine through. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member interesting film, well acted Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review william s Not one of Sayle's better efforts.Long and drawn out but well acted.Boy could they have sliced a bit of time off and picked up the pace. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Frances H A film about what might have been with a great ensemble cast. I loved the chorus of the old guys playing golf. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/15 Full Review Read all reviews
Sunshine State

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Cast & Crew

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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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