The Sunset Limited (2011)

"The Sunset Limited" is a theater lover's dream! This HBO production takes the brilliant Cormac McCarthy's existential treatise about life and faith and adapts it with precision to the small screen. If, however, you are NOT a theater fan and are coming into this film blindly--I do think it's quite important that you know what you're getting into. This is a two person dialogue--that's it! For just under ninety minutes, two men sit in a shabby one room apartment and discuss the philosophical nature of man's reality. With a heavy reliance on religion and man's obligation to one another, "The Sunset Limited" unfolds with a surprising urgency and even poetry. It might not sound like thrilling entertainment but McCarthy's words filtered through the estimable talents of Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson make this a can't miss proposition for adult viewers. It is for lovers of word and thought--and, indeed, it's not for everyone. But it is a great way to get a prestigious theater piece to an audience that might not otherwise have the opportunity of enjoying it.

So, for that, we've got to thank HBO (the undisputed leader in TV movie productions) and Tommy Lee Jones who also takes a producer and the directing credit for this intimate work. Set in Jackson's apartment, "The Sunset Limited" unravels in real time in the aftermath of an incident at the local train station. Jackson attempts to engage Jones in a discussion about what happened as well as keeping him safe from further harm. A former convict, Jackson's real life stories are filled with harrowing details and his redemption provides ample evidence of a greater good. Jones, an intellectual with a more pragmatic worldview, spars back with an elaborate cynicism. In this contest of words, will Jones embrace the notion that perhaps life has more to offer if only he's willing to accept it? Or will Jackson start to doubt his own convictions in view of his new friend's influence?

I know my presentation of McCarthy's play might sound a bit dry--but make no mistake, "The Sunset Limited" is also filled with great warmth and unexpected humor. Jones is stilted and disaffected, making the most of the more uptight role. It is underplayed to perfection. He all but gives the stage to the more showy Jackson. This is, without a doubt, one of the meatier roles that Jackson has sunk his teeth into in recent years--and his relish is obvious. He elicits the piece's biggest laughs and tells its most vivid stories--it is a riveting performance. The devastating climax arrives courtesy of Jackson who just might have met his match with the intrepid and stubborn Jones. A cerebral and intimate chamber piece, I reiterate that this film will not be embraced by everyone! However, if the idea of seeing the work of one of our greatest writers performed by two acting powerhouses appeals to you--what's not to appreciate? KGHarris, 2/11.

Sunset Limited is a new HBO film that is located entirely in a dirty studio apartment in New York. Only two characters are presented in the film and their names are Black and White. One man, White, has decided that he is going to kill himself and the other is attempting to talk him out of it. Tommy Lee Jones plays White, the man who attempted to commit suicide by leaping into a train, and the character Black is played by Samuel L Jackson, who saved White from being hit by the train. The theme of the movie is Black trying to find out what is so bad that would make the intelligent character, White, end his life and how Black can keep White from trying to do it again as soon as he leaves the apartment.

The entire movie takes place inside Black's apartment as he tries to argue White into choosing life.

For 90 minutes they have a theological debate about God and their purpose on this earth. The debates are powerful and the conversations moving. Sunset limited makes up for the fact that it consists of no beautiful panoramic screen shots and channels all of its artistic energy into enhancing the script. The director chooses to set the scene with words of poetry rather than with colorful images. The decision to paint the movie through words rather than pictures is very rare and ends up adding a fantastic element to the Sunset Limited.

An incredibly dark tale but a very worthwhile film to watch.

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I just watched The Sunset Limited last night. ABSOLUTELY one of the best movies/plays I have seen in the past 10 years. The quality of the acting and interacting, as well as movement and camera angles between Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson is great to see. The dialogue is fresh, real, and sensitive to both sides hence, "Black" & "White."

The camera angles in the last few moments and the last phrase uttered by "Black" is powerfully and dramatically well done.

Doug Flor

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Wow, This is a very deep and intellectual film! I'm a minister, andI was so drawn in, so mesmerized by the dialogue and the intensity of Black and White. At first, I really thought that every person in the congregation I minister to should watch this film....... However, as I began to look further at reviews and what other's thought, I now think this film probably needs to be viewed with some caution. This could confuse some people and actually draw some folks into despair. Despair....... (WARNING: MY POST FROM HERE FORWARD CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!) that's ultimately the gospel White is preaching. There was a part of my soul that could identify and understand his points. I think most humans have felt those moments at times in their lives. But, there was one thing White said that really stood out to me. It was something I wish Black would have caught on to. He kept asking God for the words..... I have no idea, if this will be helpful to those of you who have posted on this, but this was my thought. White says, he wants the "peace of darkness." But, I don't believe there is ANY peace in darkness! Think about it, when you walk into a dark, unfamiliar room, the first thing you want to do is turn on a light! If not you may stub your toe, walk into a door, or worse someone or something could be lying in wait. Darkness does not provide peace! In truth, in provides more despair! So White was only going to go from despair to true despair! From darkness to eternal darkness. Of course this is my belief, and you are free to disagree with it. But I have definitely done my share of soul searching and in16 years of ministry have stared deep DARK DESPAIR in the face. And these words I tell you about darkness are not just what I think. But I believe it is the TRUTH. We live in a world that doesn't believe in truth much anymore. But I wholeheartedly believe in it. God Is Truth. God Is Love. And God is LIGHT. These were things I found comfort in at the end of this film. I have to believe in an existence that contains REAL truth. Quite honestly, I just can't understand how anyone can believe in anything else. But, obviously White did. And I'm sure to some, White made a lot of sense. For those, I pray as Black did that they too can someday, come into the Light. Thanks for reading my comment.

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Having Samuel L Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones play the roles of Black and White, the two main characters in The Sunset Limited, is certainly bringing two outstanding talents together to provide this play with the best possible conditions for success. It is a bleak picture these two actors paint as they perform the minimalistic script of Cormac McCarthy. This play is very different from the novels of McCarthy for in the film dialogue is central whereas in his novels, dialogue is often extremely minimal whereas the plot is full of physical action and the writing is full of poetic descriptions of landscape. The play contrasts the faith of an ex-convict black man with the existential despair of a white college professor. The despair of the college professor however is not about personal conditions or circumstances but rather is complete despair around the condition of human life and human potential and human nature. The play is basically a dialogue between these two characters in a spare one room in a public housing project where the ex-convict lives. McCarthy is very poetic, even in dialogue that is philosophically charged. Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson make the dialogue come alive. After seeing the film, I suggest you reflect on who gets all the good lines. In my opinion, Black, the man of faith and human resiliency is naturally appealing and his language is extremely colorful. On the other hand, as a man who has just attempted suicide, White, is restrained and depressed. His world view is very dark, considering that he is not really committing suicide due to personal circumstances but due to the fact that humanity is so worthless and life for all humans is meaningless. Black tries to confront these concepts throughout the play. In the same way that McCarthy's novels are not for every reader, this play with its philosophical armature clearly visible may not be for every viewer. However it is stimulating to see two fine actors give outstanding performances of this script and pull out every bit of pathos from the philosophical dialogue.

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