Suncoast
Summary
A semi - autobiographical film by first - clock time feature author - director Laura Chinn , Suncoastis an emotional marvel . once in a while raw and tender , but no less lightsome and endearing , the plastic film — which follows Nico Parker ’s Doris , a teenager who straddles having a normal gamey school experience with read care of her terminally ill brother — is a lovely coming - of - years story that waver together brokenheartedness with a complex mother - girl family relationship .
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Cast
Suncoast is an autobiographical play pic by author - managing director Laura Chinn , released in 2024 . The film explore stories from Laura Chinn ’s own life , including her crony , who was taken to a specialized facility to care for his detrimental malady . At the facility , however , she meets an eccentric man mobilise against the aesculapian system , which fix off a historical serial of upshot .
Suncoast Wonderfully Breaks Down Complex Emotions
The moving-picture show is localise during Terri Schiavo ’s last sidereal day . Schiavo ’s case made newspaper headline for years as a struggle lambaste between her hubby and parents about whether she should rest on artificial life support . Her feeding vacuum tube was finally removed in 2005 , andSuncoast , also the name of the hospice where Doris ’ brother last , create the moral backbone of the story . As ethical matters are debated about in class , Doris stands in the middle of supposed argumentation and realism , and Chinn does a tremendous job of allowing the complexities of the character ’s life and emotions glisten through .
Suncoastsoars when its focus is on Doris ’ complicated belief , as she deals with the guilt of not being with her sidekick 24/7 and the weight of obligation and emotional manipulation by her mother , Christine ( Laura Linney ) . Between caring for her brother and help her mother , the teenager has n’t exactly had any time to simply live on her own footing , or experience regular matter . For the first time ever , she ’s catch actual friends — who could have easily been snooty mean girls , as that ’s ab initio mean , but the book avert such tropes — and she is n’t so cooped up at home .
Doris even makes friends with a Schiavo protestor ( Woody Harrelson ) , who understands grief after losing his married woman yr prior . Harrelson is helpful in replete in the role of parent , since Christine is so preoccupied with caring for her son that she does n’t give Doris the form of tending she deserve , nor does she recognize her need . But despite a gracious friendly relationship that develops between them , Harrelson ’s place in the narrative is less concrete than everything else in the story . Through him , though , Doris is able to see thing ( even him ) more understandably and press out score with her female parent .
Nico Parker Delivers An Emotionally Nuanced Performance
Laura Linney is also a standout in an occasionally unlikable role
Parker , who made her entry inthe live - actionDumbo , is excellent as the quiet , yet foil Doris . The untried actress permit various emotions — choler , confusion , resentment , shyness , and everything in between — to play across her facial expression so effortlessly , take us into Doris ’ disruptive world . A particularly annihilating scene near the end of the moving picture opens up the excited floodgates and instal Parker as a truly gifted actress equal to of making us chuckle with her line deliveries and our eyes water with unshed rip .
[ Suncoast ] is a endearing do - of - old age story that weaves together heartbreak with a complex mother - daughter family relationship .
Christine is far less likable , at least at first , but Linney manages to infuse depth and humanity into her performance that give path to understanding . Stubborn and hyper - focussed on her son , Linney ’s character is not without her faults , but she ’s also not one - annotation . There ’s far more to her than being an irate and from time to time regardless female parent , and Linney unfolds the layers of intend behind Christine ’s every action mechanism . Harrelson is faithfully good , and his softness with Doris nicely juxtapose Christine ’s harshness .
Suncoastis a strong feature debut from Chinn . It ’s heartfelt and filled with warmth and mussy emotions that are profoundly feel . Despite the centering of grief at every microscope stage , the motion picture is not a complete downer , and it ’s even occasionally funny ( this is especially true of Doris ’ supporter , who provide the story with the most levity ) . Touching and layered — emotionally and ethically — Suncoastis a beautiful film with adorable performance , capturing hard multiplication and complex family kinetics .
Suncoastpremiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival . The film debuts on Hulu February 9 .
