A sprawling but engrossing ensemble drama, boasting some wonderful performances, Sunshine State ranks amongst great American independent director, John Sayles' most accessible works. Introduced by a group of elderly golfers (whose presence eventually becomes clear), Sunshine State is set on Florida's fictional Delrona Beach. A highly sought after resort in the northern reaches of the state, the beach becomes the centre of a real estate battle, as a company wants to buy out some of the longest standing residents and redevelop their property. And though a variety of characters are introduced, the main focus of the piece is two families - one white, the Temples, and one black, the Stokes.
There are a huge number of characters in Sunshine State, but it is to Sayles' great skill as a writer and director that the movie never feels too cluttered. Thematically, as always, he remains deeply interested in the issues of social change, but never loses sight of the happy mess of the complexities of the human condition. It's a film brimming with exquisite performances, none more so than The Sopranos' Edie Falco, who gives a genuine warmth and emotional dexterity to her character, a depressed hotel manager. To be honest, Sunshine State may be a little too leisurely for some, but for fans of Sayles' work, this is a rare treat.
