Suncoast (2024) Movie Review – A morally complicated film that will resonate with many

A morally complicated film that will resonate with many

Loosely based on the life experiences of the film’s director Laura Chinn, Suncoast tells the story of Doris, a teenage girl whose chances of a “normal” life have been disrupted by the death of her father and her caring duties towards her brother Max who is dying of brain cancer.

When Max is admitted to Suncoast Hospital for end-of-life care, Doris is finally afforded a little bit of youthful freedom. She makes new friends at school, begins a relationship with a boy from her class, and holds parties at her home while her mother Kristine (Laura Linney), who has no idea about her daughter’s extra-curricular activities, spends time with her son at the hospital. 

Doris, who is emotionally exhausted after caring for her brother, enjoys the respite she has been given. She is especially excited for prom night, which one of her friends considers to be the “most important” night of their lives. But as prom draws closer, Max’s condition worsens and she is forced to grapple with her feelings about his impending death and the guilt she experiences when choosing to spend time with her new friends instead of him.

Suncoast is a film about making tough life choices. For the most part, it hinges on Doris and the choices she has to make when deciding whether to put her family or friends first. 

However, the film also touches upon a subject that is still quite topical: is it right to end the life of somebody whose life may no longer be worth living? This is something that is brought to our attention during Doris’s ethics class at school, and in scenes when Doris spends time with Paul Warren (Woody Harrelson), a pro-life activist who is protesting outside Suncoast Hospital on behalf of a critically ill woman named Terri Schiavo, whose real-life story you can read about here

The bigger focus of Suncoast is on Doris’s moral dilemmas but as Paul and the other protestors stand up for Terri’s right to live, we might be given cause to think about our own stance on the subject. As is often the case in life, there is no easy answer, though you will likely have your own opinion on what is right and what is wrong.

Suncoast is a thought-provoking film because of its various plot strands and it’s anchored by terrific performances from its main cast who bring to life characters who have all had a tough time emotionally.

Linney ably shows the strain of a mother who is combative with everybody, including her daughter, because of the exhaustion that has sapped her of patience and empathy. Harrelson showcases the grace of a man whose own experiences of grief have helped him understand the emotional outbursts of others, including Doris, whom he takes under his wing. And Parker perfectly evokes the innocence of a girl who is clueless about the things most teens take for granted while also displaying her character’s coldness toward the dying brother who has inadvertently affected Doris’s youth.

These characters are all relatable as are the moral complexity of the film’s themes. As such, Suncoast is a film that will resonate with many, especially those of us who have had to grapple with difficult decisions in life. It’s a sad film, as can be expected considering its subject matter, but it escapes being overly maudlin due to the occasional funny scene that helps to lighten the atmosphere.

Suncoast is a decent film that deserves more recognition than it will probably get after quietly being released on the Hulu and Disney+ streaming services. The ending is a little too tidy and not as impactful as it could have been, but as a whole, the film is poignant and warm, with moments that may stick with you after the closing credits have rolled. 

 

Read More: Suncoast Ending Explained


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  • Verdict - 7/10
    7/10
7/10

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