Sunshine

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Sunshine

R,

1999,

3h 0m,

History/

Drama

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Watchlist

74%

65 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The story of three generations of the Sonnenscheins, a Jewish-Hungarian family that began when Hungary was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, changed their name to Sors in order to survive the years of Nazi occupation, and now faces the fallout of the postwar Communist legacy.

Matt Wolf

Associated Press

Jan 18, 2018

There's no denying the rare ambition of a film with intelligence and empathy to burn: You go in expecting a history lesson and emerge impressed by the shifting hues of humanity.

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Eddie Cockrell

Variety

Apr 4, 2007

Well-intentioned but never entirely engaging ...

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

It's an absorbing, weighty picture, which worries at still important ideas about duty and inheritance, and at how we may define ourselves against the tide of history.

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István Deák

The New York Review of Books

Aug 17, 2018

What does it mean to live in a country where one finds oneself both at home and still a stranger? Szabó's masterpiece brings us close to the heart of this enduring dilemma.

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Jan 7, 2010

3/4

Much like her character holds together her family, Harris's warm and robust performance holds together Sunshine.

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Karina Montgomery

Cinerina

Aug 16, 2007

4.5/5

Sunshine has done the impossible by reinventing the concept of "high stakes," it's a marvelous treat...gripping and beautiful, twining the music of the spheres with the reptilian brain inside us all.

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Rey S

Mar 26, 2019

Sunshine (1999) is a sprawling historical epic that sees Ralph Fiennes play 3 generations of Hungarian Jews surviving Communism and Fascism. It's a beautiful film made with care, but it is daunting to get through the tremendous running time. The romance is beautiful and interesting as Jennifer Ehle and Rachel Weisz are both tender and fierce next to Fiennes' blunt characters. Maurice Jarre's score is as beautiful and endearing as the excellent acting performances. I am impressed at how Sunshine managed to recreate several different eras with plenty of detail. It's a solid film that will age well as it feels so genuine.

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Abraham S

Feb 10, 2018

not an up movie but Fiennes is great as always

Leia R

Oct 28, 2017

Stretching many generations was both illuminating and lengthy. The historical milestones are interesting, but there's not always enough story to keep engaged.

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Theodore S

Apr 12, 2017

Liberties have been taken,ostensibly for the artistic side of commercial value and Box Office appeal. The main underlying theme running throughout remains as always the JEWISH resistance agains whomsoever is in charge.

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Finn W

Jan 2, 2017

Boring boring boring. Had no proper plot. The ideas were there but were expressed poorly and seemed way too confusing. The length didn't help either...

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István Szabó

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Ignatz Sonnenschein

Rosemary Harris

Valerie Sors

Rachel Weisz

Greta

Jennifer Ehle

Valerie Sonnenschein

Molly Parker

Hannah Wippler

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Synopsis

The story of three generations of the Sonnenscheins, a Jewish-Hungarian family that began when Hungary was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, changed their name to Sors in order to survive the years of Nazi occupation, and now faces the fallout of the postwar Communist legacy.

Director: István Szabó
Screenwriter: István Szabó, István Szabó, Israel Horovitz
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Movie Network, Alliance Atlantis Communications, Téléfilm Canada
Rating: R (Strong Sexuality|Nudity|Language|Violence)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 13, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.1M
Runtime: 3h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS

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