The acting is without a doubt fantastic, but [the film] is so heavy, so solemn, and so discouraging.

| Original Score: B- | Jul 28, 2020

The highest praise here should be reserved for Collyer, once again proving she's adept at capturing a believable portrait of people living day by day through rough times and desperate moments.

| Aug 29, 2019

... obviously not going to be on anyone's "feel good" list-but it is a really great film. It's gritty and depressing and devoid of hope, but Watts and Dillon nail it.

| Mar 2, 2019

Sunlight Jr. has the heart in the right place but comes up short in many regards.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 12, 2017

Shows american lives that the screen usually neglects

| Apr 18, 2014

Uncovers with rare candor on screen, the psychology, economic distress and depleting emotions layering over the lives of the US working poor today, and flipping the script on the American dream.

| Dec 21, 2013

...could be perceived as a dreary downer, there's a kind of magic... Watts shines through her ill-fitting uniforms, Dillon retains a leading man's indomitability.. .. they give each other reason to persist.

| Original Score: 88/100 | Dec 5, 2013

Sobering, depressing and tedious, filled with far too much unresolved adversity and overwhelming despair to be recommended as 'entertainment.'

| Original Score: 3/10 | Nov 30, 2013

The movie consequently suffers from a lack of emotional resonance that's both unfortunate and disastrous...

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 24, 2013

The well-intentioned film can't overcome a screenplay that feels more contrived as the problems pile up for the couple.

| Nov 22, 2013

Like many other films this year, such as 'Before Midnight' and 'Blue Is the Warmest Color,' it asks whether that's true and wonders if a couple might actually be better breaking up.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 22, 2013

There are two intensely professional performances at the heart and soul of Sunlight Jr., from A-minus list actors fully investing themselves in bringing the gloom, playing their characters' distresses subtler than Collyer's screenplay presents them.

| Original Score: C | Nov 19, 2013

It belongs to Naomi Watts, playing a woman who retains her dignity in spite of endless difficulties. It's work done between the lines, in the silent moments.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 17, 2013

If Sunlight Jr. does anything, it is to shine a light on the fact that the American dream is dormant notion for far too many.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 15, 2013

Collyer paints a sobering and important picture of the way many of us live now.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 14, 2013

Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold.

| Nov 14, 2013

Collyer never looks down on her characters; instead, her films have the quality of a good Springsteen song.

| Nov 14, 2013

A compelling portrayal of the grinding life of America's working poor, brought into sharp focus by intense lead performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 14, 2013

It's a sad, thoughtful film, and you leave it without much belief that things will get better for these characters - but you believe in them, which makes it even sadder.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 14, 2013

Empathy for the all-too-real plight of the working poor drives this heavy but bold indie. Sadly, though, it falters under the weight of too much drama.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 14, 2013