Sundown

At the beginning, say, 20 minutes into the film I, like probably everybody else, kept thinking what an asshole. Right in the middle I made a decision I never want to be really rich or go to Mexico, even on a short holiday. At the end I realized it was the best film about the fear of death I've ever seen.

source: Sundown

Sundown is a film that I find difficult to explain why I enjoyed it. It's definitely not for everyone, but I was pleasantly surprised since I expected it to be more on the pretentious art film side of the spectrum. I didn't know anything about the main character at the beginning of the film, and slowly discovering more about him over the course of the film was really interesting. The pacing is consistent, although for some it may be a bit too slow, with entire scenes that have no dialogue. I personally thought this made it feel more authentic, as there were no forced conversations for the sake of drama. It's very much a drama, but there was an element of mystery there. In the beginning, I didn't understand the motivations of Roth's character, I didn't understand the full scope of what they were going through. Piecing it all together as the film progressed was very rewarding, and the ending gave more closure than I was expecting (movies like this tend to end abruptly). It's a 7.5/10 for me. I wouldn't recommend it to those that like plot heavy movies or dislike character studies, but I enjoyed it far more than I was expecting.

Well there is way more to it than that. And hopefully you either let my Blockbuster stinger slide by (if you recognized it) or do not care or compare it to Spiderman or anything like that. Because this is as far removed from anything remotely in that big budget category. But if you see the movie, you will get the pun. Having said that, this drama we have right here is really good. I had no idea what this would be. One of the main reasons was because I watched it at a sneak preview. The other would have been that I don't read about movies I am about to watch anyway. And I was lucky enough to not have to sit through a trailer. So the beginning of the movie had me guessing as to where this would lead. A family drama? A personal drama? Who is the main character in this? It seems to be one person and than we kind of find out it is another. And as subtle as that shift in focus is - the pace will not change. So if you do not like how this evolves, if you want to call it that, you can figure that out in the first 10 minutes. Anyone else who sticks with it ... will get a slow burn! No pun intended! And a human that might be relatable to you - depending on how you view the world. Considering what we are about to find out, some will envy him, but at the same time also be happy not to be him. A strange mix, I know - but one that is apt. Actions also speak louder than words. So while he is saying one thing, he clearly is doing something different. What is his motivation, if any you ask? Well the movie will let you figure that one out yourself. Still it is tough to convey certain things. Or have the movie delier all the answers. The ever so great Tim Roth (who looks great and plays even greater) is as minimal as he can be. Some may feel he is without feelings - but yet there lies passion in him. But minimalistic - he does not seem to care about most things ... which is something that is coming in handy towards the end ... a weird movie that seems to have few to no conflict ... and yet is able to deliver on tension and us wondering what is up next ... and why!

I can totally relate to Neil. He just wants to hang out at the beach and have sex! Doesn't want to go back to his horrible life in London. The reason why is at the end of the movie!

Most viewers apparently missed an important plot point. He was diagnosed with a tumor in his frontal lobe. Such tumors can cause changes to executive functioning, decision-making, personality, memory processing, emotion and impulse control, and understanding social situations and behaving appropriately. Viewers obviously know his 'pig hallucinations' are due to his brain cancer, but many don't make the connection to the actual behavior of the main character. Under this lens, the character isn't just someone that is dying and just says "screw it and everyone else" (which just makes him into a devolving sociopath). I hope those that missed this perspective can go back and see how he acts and reacts in the situations he is experiencing. Profound film experience.

I kept trying to get interested in the plot but it was just so boring. He was a real weirdo and so was his sister. I am so thankful that I could fast forward through the movie because it was so BORING. I really like Tim Roth and I am shocked he agreed to act in this piece of crap script/movie. One of the worst movies I have ever watched or tried to watch.

Gentle ocean waves, fresh seafood, fancy cocktails, the company of loved ones, and a luxurious Acapulco resort are not sufficient to snap Neil out of a deep reverie. When the death of his mother-in-law in England causes the family to quickly depart for the airport, Neil does something inexplicable. He mumbles something about forgetting his passport, insists that his wife and children go on ahead, checks into a cheap hotel, ignores calls from home, meets a local girl, and starts pounding the cervezas. Neil is careless, oblivious, and resigned to a mysterious fate. Sundown is an enthralling slow-burn. The film deftly shifts its focus from behind the walls of the resort to wild pigs rooting for scraps on the beach and a murder on the rougher side of town, as the story follows Neil in his baffling mental state. Tim Roth (Neil) is perfect for the role, and he is ably supported by Charlotte Gainsbourg and others.

Neil (Tim Roth) rejects his family inheritance because the business is pig slaughtering. What happens to Alice (Neil Sister) is karma. Toward the end you were at the family has accumulated billions of dollars as a result of pig slaughtering. It appears that Neil Bennet (Tim Roth) wants nothing to do with that and has an hallucination about slaughtering pigs. That's why he has nothing to do with running a family business and stay chilled out in Acapulco. It's also a movie about karma and animal rights. Neil's sister, gets assassinated on her quest to keep the business of pig slaughtering.

I saw Sundown at the London Film Festival having been impressed by the director's "New Order" last year, though both films were made roughly at the same time. Tim Roth gives a magnificent understated performance of a man whose behaviour breaks with expected norms, asking us to imagine his motives. He subtlety of the director gradually and naturally reveals circumstances that may overturn our assumptions. The film has humour, violence, drama, and asks us to imagine what we do ourselves in he same circumstances. On top of these roiling undercurrents there are contrasted the beautiful but exclusive high-end beach resort with the crowded lively (and deadly) beach that the locals inhabit. Excellent supporting performances from Charlotte Gainsbourg and the others round out a thought provoking and well-executed film.