Sunshine
User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. YoonC.
    Sep 21, 2003
    10
    One of the greatest films ever and one of the finest summations of the cultural/historical events and traumas of Eastern Europe in the 20th Century. The mostly English and American cast work surprisingly well, which is of crucial importance as the excellent performances anchor the dizzying, chaotic, impersonal, and ruthless forces of huge upheavals in the agony, even poetry, of individual lives; history is personalized. Perhaps, it's comparable to Dr. Zhivago in its portrayal of the dignity, even the triumph, of the individual in the vast bloody panorama of history but it goes deeper, is more naked and truthful, and avoids Lean's penchant for glamorization. Fiennes plays three generations of Jewish Hungarians, a feat that is both exhilarating and provocative in questioning to what extent are we free as individuals and to what extent are we prisoners of cultural conditioning. … Expand
  2. ElliottH.
    Jun 4, 2006
    10
    A complex terrific movie. Long movies (3 hours) tend to be something special-especially good or especially bad. This one is especially good. If the movie can capture your interest and attention for 3 hours, it has an advantage shorter movies can't match. As you invest your time, you begin to care for the characters in a way beyond criticism. When I start reacting viscerally to a movie it gets a 10 from me.… Collapse
  3. IstvanL.
    Mar 21, 2002
    10
    A beautiful movie, which brings back bitter sweet memories of a young girl I had lost a long time ago.
  4. Anne
    Feb 14, 2001
    10
    It is just brilliant and true to history. The cinematography, set direction, and acting are excellent.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    70
    Sunshine is a trifle schematic. But it also makes you feel, quite poignantly, the crushing tides of history: heedless, inhuman--and tragic.
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    70
    Many of the plot points seem belabored because they're introduced in the voice-over, then ploddingly dramatized, then analyzed by the family over meals.
    Read full review
  3. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    91
    So filled with riches that it seems a bit unfair to single out Szabo and Fiennes, no matter how outstanding their work.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »