PLOT: Based on the play The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy. A man saves another man’s life and they contemplate the worth of their lives. Samuel L. Jackson (Black) represents good despite the fact that he had been imprisoned for murder. All of the action happens in Black’s spare apartment in urban NY. Black is definitely an ex-convict as well as an evangelical Christian. Tommy Lee Jones (White) is definitely an atheist as well as a professor. They debate human suffering, the existence of God and the propriety of White’s attempted suicide. A detailed philosophy of life ensued.
OPINION: I looked forward to the movie given the actors involved and the director! I thought we were on to something. When the characters spoke about the number of books they’d read and the professor spoke about society ending at Dachau I was in tune. But the constant subject changes and mood swings did little to enhance the film and advance the plot.
There was one Suspense: White wanted to commit Suicide and the Resolution: White may just commit Suicide? What? I didn’t know what to think. You’re so bored that you’re waiting for Tommy Lee Jones to just walk out of the darn door. 
Alas! Was I really disappointed?
Not really. But yeah! If you are the philosophical type you might appreciate a few topics embedded in there. Then again you could easily leave a youtube video on Nietzsche playing while you washed some dishes. If you are not the philosophical type, it will be a complete waste of time! I could have listened to the movie on the radio and concentrated on working out Sudoku. This was not a movie. It was a play and it should have remained a play. Then I would have probably appreciated the script.
GUESS WHAT? The rating on IMDB is 7.8. So I am forced to say, be my guest! Let me know what you all think. Check out the trailer below.
[sws_blue_box box_size=”580″]Genre: Drama
Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Actors: Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson
Release Date: 12 February 2011[/sws_blue_box]
I definitely kinda sorta disagree with this assessment… The movie is based on a play and as a result puts much emphasis on dialogue. Kinda like “Glengarry Glen Ross” or “Close” but much more so. Think “My Dinner with Andre”.
So if you’re not into that kind of thing, this is definitely not the movie for you. I guess it’s not really an exciting movie but some of you may find it interesting…
The thing is Ano, you say the movie puts ‘much emphasis on dialogue’, sure… Quentin Tarantino does this all the time in his movies and we can still watch them. I think producers have to be careful trying to put plays on the screen. You can make a dvd of a play but a movie? Especially one with two old men? Gee.
Quite quite true! These two old men were a huge turn off. What in the world was Sam L. Jackson and Tommy Lee doing in a room?
PattyPee, you see the light! By the way what is the inspiration for this name? Think it’s hilarious!
Luv Sam L. but this ain’t his best movie
Yah. I strongly second that.
I enjoyed it it very much, as I quickly realized I was not in fact watching a movie, but a play that was filmed.
From this view I was impressed with the two actors work in being able to put forth so much with so little external devices, none, in fact.
I do realize it isn’t most viewer’s cup of tea, as is going to the theater for that matter.
Anyone who can appreciate good acting and scripting will find ample value in the Sunset Limited.
Well, I was blown away. I like film adaptations of plays, if they are well done; this was brilliant. But what I really loved was the give and take and exploration of ideas. Let’s face it, if you can watch 91 minutes of two old men in a ratty room talking, then they must be saying something worth hearing. Check out my full review: http://bit.ly/nctW1v