The Sunset Limited
2011 Directed by Tommy Lee Jones
Synopsis
Nothing is ever black or white.
Based on the play of the same name by Pulitzer Prize Winner Cormac McCarthy, this searing two-character drama mixes humor and pathos while examining the relationship between strangers who are brought together by desperate circumstances. Set in a New York tenement apartment, the story focuses on two very different men - a deeply religious black ex-con who thwarts the suicide attempt of an asocial white college professor who tried to throw himself in front of an oncoming subway train, 'The Sunset Limited.' As the one attempts to connect on a rational, spiritual and emotional level, the other remains steadfast in his hard-earned despair. Locked in a philosophical debate, both passionately defend their personal credos and try to convert the other.
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Based on Cormac McCarthy’s stage play of the same name and directed by Tommy Lee Jones, The Sunset Limited, maintains its stagebound roots as the audience is locked in a room with two men as they debate their opposing beliefs. McCarthy adapts his own play meaning the adaptation retains his wonderful use of language whilst Jones keeps the intimacy of the story and never feels the need to make it more cinematic with showy camera moves or opening the story out beyond the confines of the rundown apartment. The claustrophobic location proves to be an effective third character in this riveting two-hander.
As a story it doesn’t really touch on new ground. Numerous plays have delved into the contrast between…
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The most common problem I have with 'talkie' films is often the script is not designed to create living, breathing characters but to instead use them as mouthpieces to spout out the ideas of the writer. That is how I felt with The Sunset Limited.
Jackson and Jones are two mechanical constructs whose every line is regulated by remote control. The dialogue is so clearly predetermined that it doesn't come close to conveying a natural conversation, this debases both characters and makes it incredibly difficult to empathise with Jones' charade of self-turmoil.
That may come across as largely negative but I assure you I did enjoy the film. I enjoyed it because inside of the rapidly flowing conversation there would…
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A bitter interpretation of either the ever complicated Preacher vs Professor debate, or perhaps a modern variation of the Biblical tale of Christ's Temptation in the desert. Anyway you perceive the story, it is undoubtable driven by Cormac McCarthy's quick moving dialogue, which effortlessly evolves and mutates to a variety of subjects, including faith, suicide, and the best place to hide the whiskey. The smooth transition from topic to topic keeps the viewer engaged despite the lack of various locales and much, if any at all, intense physical action. This impressive feat is also accomplished by the absolute masterwork performances from the two leads. Jackson comes out of the gate with a fire in his heart, presenting the ideals of…
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Tommy Lee Jones can play "weary old man" like he was born that way. The Sunset Limited is a made-for-HBO movie with two characters, one set, and a script that will hammer a nail straight into your heart. Astounding, compelling, moving.
Watch this when you are tired and sad, and over the course of its 90-odd minutes it will lift you up and then dump you into a deep dark pit of despair. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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I'm gonna have to get on more with HBO films. The trailers before this gem a of a film really looked fantastic. Even just from the snippets. With The Sunset Limited following those snippets, I am more on board than ever!
A great one room drama taking place over the course of 90 minutes (real time), but with enough religious/social debate to last for days. Truly not a whole lot in here that I haven't pondered or discussed with others before, but the characters made the questions and answers that much more intriguing understanding their back stories.
For a tiny one room set, Jones and set designer are really able to open up the space to movement and depth. Equally…
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My mission is to get everyone at Row Three to see this movie... One of the best one room conversation movies ever made. Faith vs Reason has not been so perfectly realized since Ivan and Aloysha hashed it out in Dostoevsky's Karamazov Brothers. Cormac McCarthy's script is a work of art. Tommy Lee Jones gives the best performance of the year and directs the hell out of the one room... Samuel Jackson is at his Tarantino best. Here is a clip to seal the deal cleverbeast.tumblr.com/post/18313977283
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Um filme onde as palavras dizem mais que as imagens!
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Great performances but boring movie
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Δυο σπουδαιοι ηθοποιοι, μια εξαιρετικα ενδιαφερουσα θεματικη, δεν βαρεθηκα καθολου. Μια καλη διαλογικη ταινια δε με απογοητευει ποτε.
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The most common problem I have with 'talkie' films is often the script is not designed to create living, breathing characters but to instead use them as mouthpieces to spout out the ideas of the writer. That is how I felt with The Sunset Limited.
Jackson and Jones are two mechanical constructs whose every line is regulated by remote control. The dialogue is so clearly predetermined that it doesn't come close to conveying a natural conversation, this debases both characters and makes it incredibly difficult to empathise with Jones' charade of self-turmoil.
That may come across as largely negative but I assure you I did enjoy the film. I enjoyed it because inside of the rapidly flowing conversation there would…
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Valtavirrasta poikkeava pätkä. Kaksi näyttelijää, yksi huone, pitkät dialogit. Ainoa kantava voima on herrojen karismat.
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Si te dejas guiar por el cartel con Tommy Lee Jones (también director de la película) y Samuel L. Jackson puedes pensar que la película es lo que no es. Telefilme de la HBO basada en la obra de teatro homónima de Cormac McCarthy (de quién no me cansaré de recomendar su genial libro La carretera). Una sola localización, dos únicos actores, un expreso creyente, un profesor ateo, un intento de suicidio, un rescate, discusiones sobre la existencia de Dios, el sufrimiento humano y el derecho al suicidio. 1h 30 minutos de actores haciendo lo que mejor saben hacer actuar
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Very good film with fantastic performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones. The film is about two men, who meet when White (Jones) attempts suicide by throwing himself at the Sunset Limited. He is saved by Black (Jackson) and is taken back to Black's apartment. The 90 or so minute run time is used entirely in Black's apartment as the two talk. Sharing history, emotions, morals, beliefs, philosophy and questioning life, the two grip you for the entirety of the film. Adapted from a stage play by Cormac McCarthy the film is presented as such, using only one set and two actors.
It is a fairly powerful film that will make you want to talk about it and also it's themes. It speaks to you on at least one level, as White the devout Christian believes he is meant to save the nihilistic and antinatalistic Black.
I'd strongly recommend it.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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Sem duvida "The Sunset Limited" é um teste à nossa razão de viver. Cormac McCarthy, escritor de obras como "The Road" e "No Country for Old Man", apresenta-nos um filme realizado por Tommy Lee Jones, baseado na sua peça, onde encontramos fortes argumentos para questionar a nossa existência.
Uma longa -metragem que não recomendo a quem vive "feliz".