Sun Don't Shine

Sun Don't Shine, an independent American film released in 2012, is an evocative and tense road movie set in Florida. Directed by actress Amy Seimetz in her feature directorial debut, the movie is an elliptical crime story centered on a complicated protagonist, performed with raw intensity by Kate Lyn Sheil.

Sun Don't Shine follows Crystal (Kate Lyn Sheil), a troubled and desperate young woman, and her boyfriend Leo (Kentucker Audley) as they take a detour from the sunny beaches and tourist traps of the Florida landscape. The couple, trapped in a claustrophobic and humid environment in their car, ventures through the state's swampy backwaters and small towns with a very heavy secret that strains their relationship and leads to moments of fear, paranoia, and questioning.

Kate Lyn Sheil, a stalwart of indie cinema, plays Crystal with an intoxicating mix of fragility and volatile unpredictability. Sheil handles her character's intense emotional states with a disturbing amount of authenticity, adding layers to Crystal's complex personality. Opposite her, Kentucker Audley offers a quietly compelling performance as Leo, the more composed and grounding figure in their dysfunctional relationship. There is a captivating contrast between Sheil's explosive Crystal and Audley's quiet Leo, contributing to the emotional richness of the movie.

Amy Seimetz's directorial debut is known for its unique narrative style. Instead of spoon feeding the audience with a straightforward plot, Seimetz seeds the first half of the movie with ambiguous clues and snippets of fractured dialogues. The narrative then transforms into a darker, more desperate journey for the couple, slowly revealing the nature of their secret in fragments.

Seimetz also cleverly uses the setting as a character in its own right. The oppressive heat, the relentless sun, the deserted highways, and the peculiar places they stop at on their journey only adds to the looming tension. The steamy, sun-soaked aesthetics echo the neurotic atmosphere around Crystal and Leo’s entangled relationship, and the weight of their mysterious past that they are unable to evade.

With support drawn from celebrated cinematographer Jay Keitel, Seimetz’s presentation of the Floridian landscape underpins the unease and anxiety that defines Sun Don't Shine. The film's technical style favors handheld shots and natural light, adding a gritty texture to the film that lends a stark realism to the tale, while the sound design – a mix of ambient noise and sparse, unsettling music – is used to further magnify the sense of unease and paranoia that permeates every frame.

AJ Bowen appears in a supporting role, lending a tension-filled energy that complements Sheil's and Audley's well-crafted performances and Seimetz’s thrifty direction. Although the story partially revolves around Crystal and Leo's relationship, Bowen's character becomes an integral part of the narrative, further adding to the movie’s complexity.

Sun Don't Shine strikes a top-notch balance between drama and suspense, creating a thrilling exploration into the human psyche. Instead of serving typical genre moments, the film builds its tension through a raw emotional narrative and a masterfully sustained atmosphere of dread and suspense. While the storytelling is cryptic, the narrative is engaging, unnerving, and ultimately haunting.

Lastly, its screenplay is densely layered, with the film taking its time to peel back the character's personalities and their past. It's a movie that demands the audience’s attention and patience, rewarding them with an intricate, stirring story about guilt, love, trust, and desperation.

In conclusion, Sun Don't Shine is an absorbing southern gothic tailspin that marks a highly promising directorial debut from Amy Seimetz. Bolstered by raw performances from its lead actors, mesmerizing aesthetics, and a distinctive narrative, the movie is a worthwhile viewing for anyone looking for an atmospheric cinema experience. But be ready, as the characters’ journey into the heart of the Florida sun reflects an exploration into the darker recesses of humanity that might leave you as perspired as the protagonists in their sweltering Floridian journey.