Suncoast

As someone who was coming of age in this time frame, I felt that the director nailed it. The casting was realistic, raw, and told an important story within a story. I disagree with the other reviewer who said that the script was afraid to go deep and remained cliché. There are not enough movies like this. Everything is trying to preach to us nowadays and that's not what this was - and its refreshing. If you look at the parallels between the ethics class and the statement made by Doris, about only understanding ethics or knowing what we believe when we are actually in that moment is so true. There is so much empathy for the character of the mother, but more so for the character arc of the daughter. Remembering what it would be like to be 17-year-old not wanting to miss out on all the important things to an average teen, but also having to deal with end of life is just something that may not resonate with everyone but its a human story. And you don't have to agree with the issues, but you have empathy for the character and nonetheless.

Right now this movie is scoring 6.7 and I'm not sure why isn't higher.

I was so impressed with Laura Linney from the get go and her scenes with Nico Parker were often overwhelming given how good they were.

Nico, keeps the ball rolling. And it's a heavy ball so props to her.

Woody Harrelson does.. what he does and he does more than fine.

I think it was a sweet, subtle, solid rendition of a weird coming of age story. Esteeming from a very dysfunctional situation for any teenager but that really shines through the observation of the mother figure and the absurdity of having to deal with life in those terms.

Life is full of highs and lows, emotions are constantly in flux, and it isn't always so cut and dry on how we should be feeling. Suncoast captures those feelings while reminding us of the coming-of-age issues we've all faced. Semi-autobiographical, the director/writer based the story around her youth and her family's experiences in the early 2000s. With illness, protests, and the challenges of growing up, Suncoast brings its audience on an all-too-real journey.

Growing up in Florida, Doris (Nico Parker) and her family are in the midst of a personal tragedy. Her brother Max (Cree Kawa), suffering from brain cancer, is left in an unresponsive state, having to be cared for by his sister and mother, Kristine (Laura Linney). Admitting him to the Suncoast hospice facility, Kristine loses herself in her son's illness, as Doris makes attempts to explore her youth. With Max being cared for in the same facility as Terri Schiavo, the protests and national news loom throughout the background of their lives. Craving a 'normal' childhood, Doris is torn between her two worlds, standing at a crossroads in her life.

At the beginning of a blossoming career, Nico Parker skillfully tackles the emotional challenges of her complex character. Exploring teenage escapades, she expresses a realistic sense of wonder, while balancing it with the emotional toll she faces from her brother's illness. Echoing that heavy toll, Laura Linney adds dramatic layers to her intense performance as a mother, grieving her son before he passes. Adding levity to the emotional tale, Woody Harrelson acts as a friendly face, coping with his own underlying trauma. Through delightful and relatable performances, the cast elevates each other, as they bring the director's experiences to the cinema.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Suncoast Letterboxd Q&A early screening with director/writer Laura Chinn. During the session, Chinn revealed that while writing the film in 2018, Nico Parker was her original model for the character of Doris, though too young for the role. Throughout the long production, Parker eventually aged into the role which fulfilled Chinn's initial vision. Additionally, Chinn expressed that she hopes her representations of grief can relate to viewers and help people in similar circumstances.

Capturing the director's challenging story, Suncoast provides a meaningful glimpse into her life, while respectfully honoring her brother's battle with cancer. The performances of the cast carefully work to deepen the issues and bring relatability to the character's journeys. Though emotionally heavy, Suncoast excels at crafting a balance between grief and youthful adventure.

I wasn't enthusiastic with the entire story, yet this still was a very good movie. Nico Parker is a gifted and beautiful young actress, and her scenes with Woody Harrelson were endearing.

The crux of this film involves Doris' mission to be independent and lead a normal life. This plan is sidelined as Doris is forced to spend overnights at the Suncoast hospice facility, where her cancer-stricken brother is on his deathbed. She has to decide whether to enjoy her teen years (i.e. Going to prom or clubbing with her preppy friend group) or spend time with her mother and brother. Seeing Doris assert her independence during this family tragedy was what made this movie worthwhile.

There were some fluff high school class/party scenes throughout the movie that didn't resonate with me. I also think having more focus on Paul's personal struggle was necessary. But I ultimately smiled right before the final credits rolled.

The name of the movie and the name of the Hospice, that is one of the major locations of the movie is a big misleader for the viewers, before they even start watching the movie. It is described as a light and almost fun movie, but it carries a ton of emotions and reactions, that are more connected to a heavyweight drama.

It is also categorized as such Drama, but both genres mesh together in a successful way, which pulls out reactions that are both funny and heartbreaking. The leading and young actress does a fantastic work, as she shines over two massive actors and does it gracefully and almost without stretching her acting to the limits.

It is a story of so many lost elements, that are challenging the lives of two main characters. One has lost her sanity and ability to smile or care about anyone; the other lost a large portion of her youth, innocence and almost became numb for a large range of feelings.

In the background we can see several elements that aren't handled properly, such as the weird and almost detached and unexplained relationship with an older man, that has lost his wife and now stands and struggles for one that cannot speak or be heard.

Woody Harrelson is pretty good in his role, but his character seems off and not connected to the movie more then a name for the cast and an extension for the plot, that won't go deeper. Laura Linney's character is pretty flat and she is at one of her worst and annoying performances ever, regardless to the fact she needs to act an annoying character.

Over both of them we can find Niko Parker; AKA Thandie Newton's daughter. She shines over all of them and she is the heart and sole of this movie. Hard to stay indifferent to this kind of performance and for this kind of movie, with all of his downsides. Its not an easy one, but it's a good one.

We have already seen these kinds of growing up movies, with a tragic side, that carries the weight of the story and almost tries to burst into each and every "normal" side of the movie, but it is not a movie you can easy forget or drop after watching it. Add the powerful performance from young Parker - don't miss it.