Sunshine State

Aroview: Thoughtful, tightly woven ensemble drama from renowned indie filmmaker Sayles, surveys the native populous of a small Florida island community as they prepare for a invasion of real estate developers.

As always, the dir. builds a medley of sympathetically flawed and funny characters – property owners, a former ‘mermaid’, a landscape architect, golfers, a teenage firebug, a gambling addict – whose lives we share over the course of a week. Themes of security, community values, corporatism and social Darwinism are explored under subtropical skies with Sayle’s eye for striking metaphors supporting his usual sharp dialogue and true-to-life plot twists. Those with an appreciation for skilful adult drama will find plenty to savour in this downbeat cocktail.

NZ International Film Festival 2002