40
It is hard to imagine that a Scandinavian-set comedy starring Jenny Slate would lack charisma, but unfortunately, the most interesting characters in The Sunlit Night are a yellow barn and the sprawling scenery of rural Norway.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
75
The Film Stage by Jared Mobarak
You couldn’t ask for a better guide through the psychological landscape of her character’s desires than Slate. Her ability to be hilarious despite a quiet role like Frances lends an indelible charm that ensures we’re in her corner from the beginning.
50
The Hollywood Reporter by John DeFore
Slate and Sharp (a Tony winner for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) can't be blamed for their lack of chemistry, and if sparks aren't flying between them, at least viewers can occasionally drown in gorgeous coastal scenery, shot nicely by Martin Ahlgren.
50
At least there’s Slate, who gamely approaches her character with sensitivity and care (the actress also produced the project) and keeps Frances grounded even as The Sunlit Night sputters around her.
40
Film Threat by Matthew Passantino
It’s easy to disappear into the setting of The Sunlit Night but if only the narrative were as involving.
40
Here, Wnendt suppresses his naturally provocative streak to deliver an aggressively cute existential comedy instead.
63
Whatever they edited out of The Sunlit Night, they made certain to keep the funny, sweet and sunny parts. And Slate makes the time pass like a late summer Green Flash — an enchanting moment or two or three, and gone.
50
The A.V. Club by Shannon Miller
Unfortunately, everything engaging about the narrative is overshadowed by gratuitous quirkiness.
60
The New York Times by Teo Bugbee
This movie about artistic inspiration is meandering and slight, but, in a way, it provides evidence for why it’s helpful to cast actors with movie-star charisma.
38
Taken as a whole, The Sunlit Night is fey and inconclusive, and whether something of more substance got cut in the post-Sundance re-edit or was never there to begin with is at this point moot. The movie’s up a most beautiful creek without a paddle.