Sunshine State

Sunshine State (2002)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (107 reviews)

  • 48% of users liked it
    (2,465 ratings)

Writer and director John Sayles returns with another multi-layered look at an American community, subtly exploring how race, class, economics, and both national and regional history come together to shape people's lives. Plantation Island is a community on the coast of Florida; the island was… More

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PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
John Sayles
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Jun 21, 2002 Wide
Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    Sunshine State resembles Sayles' sketchbook more than his finished work, and we might hope that something more polished might spring from it.

  • Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

    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.

  • Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

    Sunshine State is an efficient helping of Sayles, insightful even when it's not richly entertaining or imbued with apparent passion.

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

    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.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    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.

Read all 14 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Red L


    A long movie - about two families in a Florida neighbourhood. The story includes a little of everything - family, greed, bias, expectations, suicide, fidelity, unplanned pregnancy, etc. etc. I enjoyed it - almost have to watch it again to recall all the stories.

  • Tim S


    Edie Falco leads an impressive cast and John Sayles always gives you something to think about after the movie is over.

  • John B


    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.

  • Anthony V


    Not the best John Sayles outing, but does have its moments.

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Cast

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