As pop stars continue to be constructed from increasingly younger and less world-weary materials, director-screenwriter Craig McMahon's "Sweet Sunshine" expertly distills the convergence of fame and youthful coming-of-age confusion that we increasingly understand to be a true alligator to wrestle for those few that manage to blast off into that space.
Young country singer T.J. Millhouse (John Way) is just old enough to be learning in real-time that even a perfect skyward trajectory incurs costs. For T.J., the paradox of it all stirs questions around faith and family. He's ascending, but so is his learning curve, and it all becomes fraught with risk when tragedy comes calling. Fortunately, a young woman by the name of Sunshine (Savannah McMahon) emerges from the pain, and helps TJ piece himself back into a more fully realized whole.
"Sweet Sunshine" is earnest family fare running on the battery of faith-based storytelling, and doing it at an elite level. The production values in particular are hyper-strong, from terrific stage performances that defy indie convention to a soundtrack loaded with expertly placed original songs that prove spot-on for their intents and purposes. "Sweet Sunshine" is a sweetly-told, big screen reflection of our true-to-life contemporary pop stars, their meteoric rises, and all the first-time feelings and life situations that follow closely behind. - (Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)
