The Sunset Limited (Cormac McCarthy)

[TheDeceased]

An adaptation of McCarthy's play, directed by Tommy Lee Jones.

Cast:
Tommy Lee Jones - "White"
Samuel L. Jackson - "Black"

(that is the entire cast)

Although I was conflicted about the subject matter, the performances were hypnotizing. And, being a fan of theater, I was happy to watch what is essentially a play on screen - which is something very few theatrical adaptations manage to capture. (Hurlyburly with Sean Penn and Kevin Spacey is another theatrical-adaptation-success story.)

The Sunset Limited explores the idea of religion vs. atheism throughout a single conversation. And, although McCarthy is very much Christian, there are arguments put forward for both sides. The language, as to be expected, is beautiful yet believable. The cinematography is subtle yet superb.

3.5 stars (/5)

Thoughts?

 

[muvolution]

Yo I saw that shit on HBO, it was bomb.

But yeah, I thought it was a great play/movie and those are two good actors, they play well together. It was a good script. Ending was so-so...

 

[TheDeceased]

I loved the ending.

NSFW:

It had to end on an anti-climax of sorts didn't it? Cause otherwise it would've ended up leaning in a particular direction. White doesn't convert Black and Black doesn't convert White. Throughout the film I was getting the uneasy feeling that Black was going to save White by converting him to Christianity. I'm glad that he didn't. That would've ruined the entire movie in my opinion. They are incredibly stubborn characters, both on opposite sides of extreme religious belief. Black thinks God talks to him, whereas White is completely without faith (in anything) to the point of being suicidal. The film ends with Black talking to himself/God in an empty apartment and White presumably going off to kill himself again. Neither mentality prevails... Maybe if there was a character called Grey...

 

[34-dihydroxyphen]

I loved the movie as well. Black's jailhouse story was my favorite part. Classic Samuel L. Jackson right there.

I just started reading my first Cormac McCarthy book, The Orchard Keeper. It's his first. I always read the great authors' books in the order that they were written, to see how they evolve over time. I love writers who know how to use words like "carboniferous" and shit.

 

[MrGrunge]

I thought it was extremely well-acted, but it tended to drag in some places for me. I think I came into it expecting more of a 'movie', so that may have influenced my enjoyment of it. All in all, though, I thought it was a great piece of cinema. 4/5 stars for sure.

 

[muvolution]

Nah, the ending should have been like a junky breaking in and black taking a bullet to save white's life. that woulda been a good ending.

 

[axl blaze]

hopefully this isn't as overrated as McCarthy's the Road. can't believe people enjoyed that movie

 

[TheDeceased]

^ Despite the overtly Christian tone of most of McCarthy's writing, I find it all to be compelling enough to watch/read. I agree that The Road is over-rated but it isn't unwatchable. At the very least it's a competently produced film with good acting/ cinematography/ etc. I understand if you dislike it due to the subject matter/ the film's hidden agenda but the book it was adapted from did win a Pulitzer.