Beautiful Play in The Sunset Limited

If you proposed to me that I should watch a two-man, one location play essentially filmed as-is for a movie, I would say… “I don’t think so.” But Roger Ebert’s tweet about looking forward to an HBO movie snared my interest, leading me to the video trailer (below) for The Sunset Limited, which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, who also directed the film. I had nothing to do and since there was not a whole lot on the tube for the night, I gave it a go.

It was a decision I would not regret.

Both actors have had impressive careers. I have seen Jackson put forth fantastic performances over the years and have enjoyed the work of Jones as well, but I think the latter may have hit new heights with this. Playing opposite Jackson’s intelligent yet uneducated man of faith with a horrific past, Jones engulfs himself in absolute depression and genuine disdain for the idea that there is purpose behind life.

Apparently rescued by Jackson from completing the inevitable action of erasing himself from the monotony of being a slave to the world by hurling himself in front of the local Sunset Limited train, the suicidal professor is brought to Jackson’s apartment where the host begins to investigate the source of the hopelessness while also trying to facilitate his healing with faith.

When the pair enters the distressed and impoverished apartment, the match begins. I say match because as a long-time soccer writer and administrator, this film-adaptation of the play, to me, unfolds metaphorically like a soccer match with the conversation ebbing and flowing back and forth with waves of both aggressive and conservative styles of debate. This is the first time a movie made me make that comparison. Jackson’s character is a strong man who has his sights clearly set on scoring to win the argument, attempting to show Jones that there is something to live for and that there is reason to believe. On the other hand, ‘the professor of darkness,’ as he calls himself, has no mission and continually uses his intellect, challenging ‘his brother’ at every turn, trying to poke through the logic of the lecture.

And while the two joust with one another verbally, the direction by Jones behind the camera takes the action of the match on a journey throughout the entire expanse of the dwelling physically and all of the corners of their psyche’s emotionally as the cinematography, ambiance and score perfectly accentuate the highs and lows of the philosophical duel.

This movie is a brilliant 90 minutes (plus a bit of stoppage time) of theoretical and thought-provoking conversation, questions and ideas about faith and the role of human life within the world and beyond its lifetime.

Much like The Book of Eli, another recent film about the role of faith on the human race, this movie really impressed me and I recommend it for those who seek or discuss answers to these kinds of questions. While The Book of Eli more subtly and indirectly addresses the impact of the bible and religion on the actual actions undertaken by the human race, The Sunset Limited directly and skillfully dives into the realm of faith on a personal level and its affect within one’s soul. The movie displays how a man of great knowledge and intellect is utterly devoid of happiness while a man who lives in squalor wants nothing more than to help ‘his brother.’

Another great review (Hank Stuever, Washington Post) [+]