Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: SUNDOWN [Toronto International Film Festival 2021 - Virtual]

The intention of resentment (or even relentment) in certain forms is an interesting psychological texture that many people cannot understand. Along most lines, it is a choice but one many might not want to talk about or believe it as a personal choice. In "Sundown" [Special Presentations], writer/director Michel Franco understands this approach as does his star and collaborator Tim Roth. When they made "Chronic" (which we talked with Roth for at Cannes), it was a similar approach from the opposite way in an opposite location but just as inevitable. Roth can play stillness but it is just a matter if it masks a greater dissonance or indifference. The journey once "Sundown" is done and over makes sense, but the carnage itself or pity taken is the interesting volley of it.

He is on a vacation with his sister and her kids in Acapulco when a tragedy happens which requires a change of plan. But instead of going back to England, he stays where is and he begins a journey, repercussions be damned. It is not self destructive but specific to him and what it is but he doesn't feel a need to explain it. But consequence of even inaction is an interesting quagmire. Charlotte Gainsbourg plays his sister who can't understand but the inevitability shows this, no matter what she does to try to work it out. Now whether or not, Roth's Neil takes any consideration or fault for his actions is unknown. Franco creates modes of existence that aren't right necessarily but are person specific. That is why even when a reveal happens, Roth's Neil is still true to himself though hs reasoning may be flawed. It is simply life which has its own ideas. B

By Tim Wassberg