COASTLINES

US, 2002, 110 minutes, Colour.
Timothy Olyphant, Josh Brolin, Sarah Wynter, Scott Wilson, Angela Bettis, Josh Lucas, Robert Wisdom, Daniel van Bargen, Edwin Hodge.
Directed by Victor Nunez.

Coastlines is an independent drama with a very strong cast, many of whom were still to make their mark in Hollywood, including Timothy Olyphant, Josh Brolin and Josh Lucas.

The film was directed by Victor Nunez, an independent film-maker who has made only ten films in forty years. Often he acts as his own cinematographer and editor.

The film has a small story, a convict returning home after three years in prison, meeting with his father, Scott Wilson, meeting with his boyhood friend who is now a policeman, Josh Brolin, and his wife, Sarah Wynter. He also comes in contact with criminals who were responsible for his jailing, his taking the rap for them, William Forsythe and Josh Lucas.

The film is a human drama, the convict trying to settle home, reconciliation with his father, friendships, an affair with his best friend’s wife. It is also a crime thriller as the criminals target the convict, firebombing his house and killing his father. Eventually, he wreaks his revenge.

The film ends positively, people acknowledging what they have done, reconciliation – and some collaboration and hope for the future.

1. A local drama, emotional? The work of the director? Small and independent film-making?

2. The title, the South, the coast, the town and its traditions?

3. The introduction to Sonny, coming in the bus, arrival home, the background of his being in prison, the reasons for this? Going to the caravan, meeting his father? Tensions? Meeting Dave, the memories of the past, Dave helping him? Warning him about the criminals? His friendship with Ann and the past? Freddie, Eddie and the crimes, the money, the hold over him, his visit to their boat, wanting his money? The issue of settling down? His character, mixture, good and bad choices?

4. The visit to Eddie and Freddie, their reputation, the deals, the money, the boat? The confrontation, the fight, Eddie and the injuries? The reactions? The firebombing of the house? Sonny’s father’s death? Dave and the local police, the sheriff, his inability to do anything? Dave and his attempts at mediation?

5. Sonny and his father, their talk, the boat, the father’s death, the funeral?

6. Dave and Ann, their kids, Dave and his work in the police, settled down, routines, pleasant, even naive? The tension at home, his wife’s betrayal – and coping with it?

7. Ann, nurse, trapped in her marriage, kissing Sonny, the affair and her visits? Driving around, confessing to Dave, dealing with the situation?

8. Effie, at the doctor’s, at the dance, relating to Sonny, the sexual liaison? Her going out to meet him?

9. Bob, genial, the job, the cars, restoration, his son, working with Sonny? Success? Bob and his concern, Sonny and his revenge, his phoning Dave?

10. Ann, her fears about Sonny, Sonny and his plan, the boat, the explosives, the fire? Dave and his coming, in the boat, not saving Freddie? For his conscience later?

11. The gathering, Sonny and his trying to find the right time to leave? Dave and Ann, the reconciliation, the support for Sonny? Living with his uncertainties? Possibly being able to stay? A film about the strengths and weaknesses of human nature?