Who Loves the Sun

The issue of infidelity is usually used as a set-up for revenge thrillers in movies, while in the real world most people try to control their murderous impulses and navigate their way to reconciliation or separation. "Who Loves The Sun" opens with the sudden return of a young drifter to the lakeside community where he had grown up, five years after he had suddenly disappeared. Will had exiled himself after catching his wife, Maggie, having sex with his childhood best friend, Daniel. Ignorant about the infidelity, Daniel's parents offer Will shelter for the night - and while he sleeps, they call up their son and Maggie, who soon arrive seeking explanations for the prolonged absence - and the trio promptly begin wrestling with their various unresolved issues.

Writer/director Matt Bissonnette initially seems to take the situation with appropriate gravity, but gradually dilutes his film's credibility by choosing the comedic option time and again as the narrative unfolds. The excellent Molly Parker balances her performance nicely between poignant regret over her past behavior, and anger at Will's extreme response to her betrayal. In contrast, Will and Daniel are too often required to act out their conflict for laughs. They scuffle ineffectually, play stupid jokes on one another, jump impulsively into the lake fully-clothed, and stare sulkily into the distance until both of them look like petulant juveniles. By the time the story's big twist is revealed near the end, most viewers will feel as if they have been watching a light comedy rather than a drama - and it seems like a wasted opportunity for a nice idea and the luminist cinematography.

"Who Loves The Sun" works its way through some prickly subject matter with enough wit and grace to keep the story not only engaging, but often hilarious. It's been a while since I've found such a thoroughly touching, thoroughly enjoyable film.

The film is gorgeous, drawing the eye with beautiful scenery and tranquil landscapes. The peaceful imagery contrasts wonderfully with the tension between the very human, very flawed, and yet very likable characters. Due to the excellent cast all five of the major players are wonderfully interesting and dynamic.

I recommend "Who Loves The Sun." It's a really funny movie that takes a poignant look at the hurts that we can inflict on each other, and the amazingly difficult but equally rewarding process of forgiveness.

I had no idea what this movie was until I read about it in the L.A. Weekly. I generally agree with the reviews in the LA Weekly and decided to get a ticket for this film. the film stars molly parker (from my favorite television show Deadwood) and Lukas haas -- who I suspect we will be seeing more of in the very near future. The film is funny, heartwarming, features great acting, and beautiful photography. i don't know if the film has distribution, but I hope it does - or will - soon. this is destined to be a real indie gem. it even has music by my favorite band the silver jews! the only disappointment was that molly parker wasn't there at the screening. even without her there... this was hands down the best film i saw at the festival.

I saw this movie at the AFI Dallas festival. Most of the audience, including my wife, enjoyed this comedy-drama, but I didn't. It stars Lucas Haas (Brick, Alpha Dog), Molly Parker (Kissed, The Five Senses, Hollywoodland) and Adam Scott (First Snow, Art School Confidential). The director is Matt Bissonnette, who's married to Molly Parker. All three actors do a fine job in this movie about 3 friends, the marriage of two of them and infidelity involving the third. It all takes place at a lake house and it looks wonderful. The film wants to treat its subject as a comedy first and then a drama, and I thought it needed to be the other way around.

Lukas Haas, who will forever be to me the terrific child actor in "Witness," seems miscast in this film. His movements and his delivery of his lines make him appear to be sleep walking through the movie. Maybe he is supposed to play the role as a slacker. But then there's the manuscript he supposedly wrote, which is, of course, supposed to be very good (according to his ex-wife). The script seems rather unbelievable with two friends eventually finding out a secret that makes even less sense and to me is unimportant to make the movie work. I did very much like Molly Parker, although she is a bit too old to be Haas' ex-wife in this movie. She exudes sensual energy. This film works hard at being an independent film, but the dialog is too choppy and the film plods on and on way to slowly. A much better film is the classic Roman Polanski's "Knife in the Water."