Watch Sophie and the Rising Sun

Sophie and the Rising Sun is a 2016 romantic drama film directed by Maggie Greenwald. Starring Julianne Nicholson, Takashi Yamaguchi, and Margo Martindale, the film is set in a small coastal town in South Carolina during the days leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, where an unexpected romance blooms between Sophie, a white woman, and Grover, a Japanese man.

The film is based on the novel by Augusta Trobaugh of the same name, and it explores the themes of racial tension, forbidden love, and the struggles of small-town life during wartime. Sophie, played by Julianne Nicholson, is a woman who has recently arrived in the town, seeking refuge from her troubled past. She is a skilled painter, and spends her days in solitude, finding solace in her art. One day, while taking a walk on the beach, she meets Grover, played by Takashi Yamaguchi, a soft-spoken Japanese man who works at a local nursery.

Sophie and Grover are initially wary of each other, as they come from drastically different backgrounds, and the racial tension between their communities is palpable. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to see beyond each other's differences, and develop a deep connection. Despite the disapproval of their respective communities, they embark on a secret, forbidden romance.

Their newfound happiness is threatened when the bombing of Pearl Harbor takes place, and the town becomes a battlefield for the prejudices of the people. The townspeople turn against Grover, accusing him of being a spy and demanding his immediate arrest. Sophie, who has grown to love him deeply, stands up for him, defying the town's hatred and risking her own safety in the process.

The film is also enriched by the performances of the supporting actors, particularly Margo Martindale, who plays Anne Morrison, Sophie's protective friend and employer. Her character provides a poignant contrast to the town's bigotry, as she is one of the few people who accepts Sophie and supports her in her relationship with Grover.

The movie's cinematography and art direction are also worthy of note, as they effectively capture the idyllic beauty of the coastal town, as well as the somberness of the wartime period. The film's score, composed by David Mansfield, is also notable for its haunting, melancholic quality, which perfectly complements the film's emotional tone.

Overall, Sophie and the Rising Sun is a thoughtful and compelling film that explores the complexities of love and prejudice in wartime America. It is a poignant reminder of the power of the human spirit to transcend boundaries, and the need for empathy and understanding in the face of adversity.

Sophie and the Rising Sun is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 55.