A review of the 2011 film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's play, 'The Sunset Limited', starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson. The film is praised for its insightful exploration of nihilism and faith through dialogue but criticized for its slow pace and stage-like presentation.
Cormac McCarthy’s stories have been translated to the screen with success multiple times, but even titans sometimes fall. McCarthy’s play, The Sunset Limited , was adapted into a movie in 2011 by Tommy Lee Jones (who had already enjoyed success with the acclaimed adaptation of McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men) and co-starred Samuel L. Jackson .
These two heavyweights lead the film and shine with committed, haunting performances, but that’s just it — the entirety of the movie is literally a single, lengthy conversation between the two. Unlike The Road or No Country for Old Men, there is no cinematic production; the dialogue is the sole source of compelling material in the film. For the patient, attentive viewer, this movie is an insightful, verbal battle between nihilism and faith. The film is an insightful rendition of two polarized reactions to an existential crisis, but it is admittedly sluggish. Viewers should view The Sunset Limited as a philosophical story that manifests in conversation, a method of storytelling more fit for stages than screens. ‘The Sunset Limited’ Retains the Sparse Form of a Stage Play for Better and for Worse Close McCarthy's play was published in 2006 and debuted on stage to not such great reviews. The symbolism is overt (unless we're supposed to accept at face value a Black character whose name is Black and a white character whose name is, well, White), and the heady nature of the dialogue violates one of the cardinal rules of storytelling: show, don't tell. There is not much subtlety. In defense of these qualities, the plot entirely focuses on two responses to an existential search for meaning — nihilism, which the suicidal White embraces, and faith, which Black embraces. It's difficult to tackle this kind of story without entering the language of the pulpit or lecture hall, but it has been done. From the outset of this movie, viewers should be prepared for ninety minutes of occasionally turgid conversatio
Cormac Mccarthy The Sunset Limited Tommy Lee Jones Samuel L. Jackson Nihilism Faith Existentialism Dialogue Stage Play Adaptation
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Group therapy, like individual therapy, may have a philosophical aspect.Interest in intersections between philosophy and therapy has tended to focus on the individual. But there is also a rich tradition of group therapy with a philosophical aspect.
Read more »
Inside Tom Francis’ Perfect Year on ‘Sunset Boulevard’Actor Tom Francis discusses making his Broadway debut in the musical revival of 'Sunset Boulevard' alongside Nicole Scherzinger.
Read more »
Eliminating daylight saving time could mean dramatic changes to sunrise, sunset timesStaying on standard time would mean a change for sunrise and sunset times. Here’s a look at when sunrise and sunset would be near you.
Read more »
High Surf Fatality at Sunset State BeachA person died Monday at Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz County after being trapped under debris due to high surf. Rescuers and bystanders freed the individual and performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Read more »
Permanent Barrier Installed on Sunset Cliffs Due to ErosionA permanent barricade is being installed on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard due to severe coastal erosion. The barrier replaces a temporary one and is intended to prevent public access to the cliffs after recent cracks developed, posing a risk to those on the bluff or below. High surf this week is expected to worsen the situation. The area, popular for photography, was never officially designated as an access point despite people using it to reach the water.
Read more »
Permanent Barricade Installed on Sunset Cliffs Due to ErosionA permanent barricade is being installed on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard due to worsening coastal erosion and the risk to public safety. The area between Adair and Osprey streets will be closed off to prevent access to the cliffs.
Read more »