Since at least the early 2000s I'm pretty sure "indie comedy-drama" has been its own distinct genre. Wry, low-key humor, quirky situational comedy and dialogue, a charming and disaffected protagonist who is maybe a bit of a mess; a beautiful setting, loose and somewhat personal cinematography, and soft, blithely pleasant music: broadly speaking, we've seen this movie before. That doesn't mean a new indie comedy-drama can't be just as worthwhile, though, and from the start 'The sunlit night' is a playful delight. Moreover, don't take my summary to be dismissive, because the film earns solid laughs right away and consistently; Jenny Slate is a perpetual joy anywhere she appears, and certainly that's the case here as she portrays Frances. The Norwegian landscapes are utterly breathtaking; Martin Ahlgren's cinematography is smart and vivid, and Enis Rotthoff's original music is earnestly enjoyable. The production design at large is splendid, and the art direction is altogether dazzling. Honestly, I think this is fantastic!
Rebecca Dinerstein Knight, adapting her own novel, has crafted a screenplay of fabulous wit, heart, and outright silliness, employing all these in turn. The story is familiar in vague terms, but meaningfully engaging and even impactful as Frances searches for herself; the dialogue and scene writing are unexpectedly rich and thoughtful. Perhaps most notably, she has penned wonderfully weird, varied characters - figures whose eccentricity is the real core of the feature, but which belies sincere humanity and complexity. 'The sunlit night' is a little odd and offbeat, but warm and bighearted, and far more vibrant and substantial than I assumed from the outside looking in. Additional small touches peppered throughout, demonstrating how Frances connects to the world through art, a clever and maybe even a little inspired. With so strong a foundation, and such able craftsmanship, filmmaker David Wnendt shapes the picture with gratifying intelligence and mindfulness, making it as easy to watch as one could hope any film to be.
All this is rounded out, not least, with a terrific cast who unreservedly embrace the curious amalgamation of moods. Slate may be a relatively fresh face in cinema, but she proves her capability and versatility again and again with every role she takes on, and I can't wait to see still more from her in the years to come. Recognizable names and faces like Gillian Anderson, Zach Galifianakis, David Paymer, and Jessica Hecht are a glad sight, and this is no less true of less renowned actors like Alex Sharp or Fridtjov Saheim. If I have any particular criticisms, it might be that there are a couple moments in the latter half that are a bit heavy-handed in their awkwardness, somewhat exceeding the tone that this otherwise adopts. Everything is part and parcel of the tale being told, but in these instances the movie feels extra noticeably common, as if to say "Oh. I guess we're doing that after all." Then again, if this is the worst that I have to say about 'The sunlit night,' then I'd wager it's done pretty well for itself.
It may not be so abjectly special as to demand viewership, unless perhaps one is a huge fan of someone involved or a connoisseur of the genre. But even if it's not a total must-see, by all means this is all-around excellent. In its writing, direction, acting, and all other ways, it's a small breath of fresh air, and a sweet, satisfying good time. Don't necessarily feel like you need to go out of your way for 'The sunlit night,' but if you do have the chance to watch, it's a heartfelt, entertaining way to spend 82 minutes, and well worth checking out.
Rebecca Dinerstein Knight, adapting her own novel, has crafted a screenplay of fabulous wit, heart, and outright silliness, employing all these in turn. The story is familiar in vague terms, but meaningfully engaging and even impactful as Frances searches for herself; the dialogue and scene writing are unexpectedly rich and thoughtful. Perhaps most notably, she has penned wonderfully weird, varied characters - figures whose eccentricity is the real core of the feature, but which belies sincere humanity and complexity. 'The sunlit night' is a little odd and offbeat, but warm and bighearted, and far more vibrant and substantial than I assumed from the outside looking in. Additional small touches peppered throughout, demonstrating how Frances connects to the world through art, a clever and maybe even a little inspired. With so strong a foundation, and such able craftsmanship, filmmaker David Wnendt shapes the picture with gratifying intelligence and mindfulness, making it as easy to watch as one could hope any film to be.
All this is rounded out, not least, with a terrific cast who unreservedly embrace the curious amalgamation of moods. Slate may be a relatively fresh face in cinema, but she proves her capability and versatility again and again with every role she takes on, and I can't wait to see still more from her in the years to come. Recognizable names and faces like Gillian Anderson, Zach Galifianakis, David Paymer, and Jessica Hecht are a glad sight, and this is no less true of less renowned actors like Alex Sharp or Fridtjov Saheim. If I have any particular criticisms, it might be that there are a couple moments in the latter half that are a bit heavy-handed in their awkwardness, somewhat exceeding the tone that this otherwise adopts. Everything is part and parcel of the tale being told, but in these instances the movie feels extra noticeably common, as if to say "Oh. I guess we're doing that after all." Then again, if this is the worst that I have to say about 'The sunlit night,' then I'd wager it's done pretty well for itself.
It may not be so abjectly special as to demand viewership, unless perhaps one is a huge fan of someone involved or a connoisseur of the genre. But even if it's not a total must-see, by all means this is all-around excellent. In its writing, direction, acting, and all other ways, it's a small breath of fresh air, and a sweet, satisfying good time. Don't necessarily feel like you need to go out of your way for 'The sunlit night,' but if you do have the chance to watch, it's a heartfelt, entertaining way to spend 82 minutes, and well worth checking out.