Watch Sunlight Jr.

Sunlight Jr. is a film about a couple struggling to make ends meet in contemporary Florida. The movie presents a bleak and gritty portrayal of working-class life in the US, where poverty is the norm and the American Dream is increasingly elusive. Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon deliver strong performances as the lead characters, while Tess Harper provides solid supporting work. The film's director, Laurie Collyer, captures the desperation and loneliness of her characters, but also finds moments of tenderness and humor amidst the harsh realities of their lives.

The story revolves around Melissa (Watts) and Richie (Dillon), a couple living in a rundown motel in a coastal town in Florida. Melissa works at a convenience store, while Richie is a paraplegic who relies on disability benefits. They struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table each day, and their relationship is strained by the constant stress and financial hardship. Melissa dreams of a better life, fantasizing about running away with Richie to someplace where they can start anew. But as their circumstances worsen, their relationship becomes increasingly volatile and unpredictable.

One of the film's strengths is its attention to detail. Collyer and her team do a great job of recreating the look and feel of a rundown beach town in Florida. The motel where Melissa and Richie live is a dingy and claustrophobic space, with peeling wallpaper, stained carpets, and flickering fluorescent lights. The convenience store where Melissa works is a cramped and dimly-lit place, where she spends most of her time dealing with surly customers and endless paperwork. There's a sense of trapped energy in these spaces, as if the characters are stuck in a cycle of poverty and despair that they can't escape.

Another strong aspect of the film is its treatment of the characters. Melissa and Richie are flawed and complex people, with their own hopes, fears, and regrets. Watts and Dillon do a great job of conveying the emotional weight that their characters carry with them at all times. Melissa is a survivor, but she's also deeply vulnerable, and there are moments when she seems on the verge of collapsing under the weight of her own life. Richie, for his part, is bitter and angry, but also capable of great tenderness and love. Together, they form a portrait of a couple who are struggling to hold on to each other and to a sense of hope in a world that seems to be conspiring against them.

The supporting cast is also strong. Tess Harper plays Brenda, Melissa's mother, who has her own set of problems to deal with. She's a recovering alcoholic who's trying to make amends with her daughter, but who also has a tendency to be self-destructive. Harper brings a lot of warmth and depth to the role, giving Brenda a sense of history and complexity that makes her more than a mere archetype. Antoni Corone, as the sleazy motel manager, is also excellent, bringing a sense of menace and desperation to his scenes.

Despite its bleak subject matter, Sunlight Jr. is not without its moments of humor and tenderness. The film is at its best when it's exploring the small moments of joy and connection that the characters find amidst the chaos of their lives. There are scenes where Melissa and Richie dance together in their motel room, or share a cigarette in the parking lot, that are sweet and poignant. These moments serve to remind us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and love to be found.

Overall, Sunlight Jr. is a powerful and affecting film. It presents a stark and unflinching view of poverty in America, but also finds moments of grace and beauty amidst the struggle. Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon give terrific performances, bringing real depth and nuance to their characters. Tess Harper and Antoni Corone provide strong support, and Laurie Collyer's direction is assured and sensitive. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Sunlight Jr. is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 61.