Lost in the Sun

Lost in the Sun is about family, and the discovery that families differ from person to person. Not every family turns out to have strong bonds, and from time to time, we can downright despise them at times. Lost in the sun centers on a young boy who has lost those bonds and a trip that brings his life into focus.

It's a fairly dramatic story. A young boy loses his mother, and has to travel across the country to live with his grandparents, whom he's never met before. Along comes drifter and lowlife John (Josh Duhmal), who offers to take this young man to his destination. Against his better judgment he hops into the car with this stranger, and begins a journey of self-discovery.

I didn't think it was a copied story. There was a lot of interesting and heartfelt moments. The plot line delivers a lot of teary moments, and as you travel through the country with them, their bond becomes stronger, as does yours with the characters. It was an interesting story too, as each reveal brings you closer and closer to their destination, and it's inevitable end. The thing I did notice is how similar the story was to the movie "Road to Perdition." If you've seen that film, you'll know it's not EXACTLY the same story, but remarkably close in many points. The lost boy, the father figure, the journey they take together across the country. Many of the same elements and emotional moments were in both films.

Overall, it's a decent movie. Better than I thought it would be and I found myself pretty drawn in to the story. It's sad, but in a good way.

5/10

I watched this one tonight and was pleasantly surprised. As I had never heard of this movie, I didn't expect much . . . but I ended up being moved enough by the film to write a review on this Saturday night.

The movie is about a boy whose mother has just died. He is going to live with his grandparents in New Mexico and a mysterious stranger offers to give him a ride. Of course, he has no idea what he is in for by accepting the offer and a fascinating "road trip/coming of age" story ensues (with a few surprises toward the end).

I hate long reviews, so let's get to it: I grew up in Texas and the locations used by the director are lonesome and add great authenticity to the movie. The directing was above average by Trey Nelson (who appears to be primarily a TV guy until this film) and I thought the acting was excellent by Josh and especially Josh Wiggins as Louis.

This is a pretty good film if you are in the mood for a lonesome road movie. 7/10 cheers

"Lost in the Sun" is a small independent film that itself gets a little lost on the way, but you can enjoy the ride because of the terrific acting from Josh Duhamel (Leo from "All My Children", Major Lennox from "Transformers"), Josh Wiggins ("Max"), Lynn Collins ("Wolverine"), and Emma Fuhrmann ("Blended"). It's a non-traditional road show and it delivers a fascinating look at the back roads of Texas and the meager life of a small time crook with a good heart but little else.

We are all looking for a place that feels like home and people to share it with. For most it isn't a cottage with a white fence and two dogs, and we make the best along the way. Sometimes the search is in vain and sometimes we can get back home, but we can get lost in the sun along the way.

This is a well-acted film for sure. It's nice to see Josh Duhamel in a gritty, dramatic role (brown teeth for the part even). The actor who portrays the kid was excellent as well.

This is a road movie drama with suspense and intrigue. Slow-moving at at times, it's got a moody, eerie feel that just pulls you right in. Should you like Josh's character, should you not? Those answers are not all forthcoming immediately. It's interesting to watch the bond develop between his character and the boy, and at times, your perspective on that may change (true bond? Stockholm Syndrome?). In the extra features, Josh says this was a movie he was trying to make for a long time. It's a independent film definitely worth watching.

Petty criminal John (Josh Duhamel) goes into a gas station and the clerk pulls a gun on him. One week earlier, he gives Louis a ride to his grandparents after his mother's funeral. John pulls a bunch of holdups. They pick up Mary (Lynn Collins) and Rose along the way.

It's kind of a mumblecore crime spree road trip indie. It's not that interesting until the first escape where Louis has to get air. I don't get the situation where they first get together. It's unmotivated until the reveal much later. It leaves the movie feeling rambling at times. It's still questionable why Louis would leave a perfectly fine bus for a ride with a stranger. It's basic stranger danger. Duhamel is barely able to fill the screen by himself and the boy isn't that helpful. There are a few interesting moments but it is lackluster overall. It needs more to tie the reveal into something more poignant. It needs to convince me why the kid would follow a guy he never met before. It would be easier if he's simply hitchhiking and John picks him up.