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

Only those viewers who assume that convenience-store clerks in their 40s enjoy lives of luxury and have limitless options will do much more than shrug in acknowledgement, feeling incredibly grateful not to be stuck in that rut.

| Original Score: C+ | Nov 14, 2013

This is that rare movie that observes the lower class with an eye toward understanding precisely how such an economic prison forms and is perpetuated.

| Nov 13, 2013

Be forewarned: The depression is inescapable.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 13, 2013

The one real takeaway here is not that things are tough all over, or that movie stars equate slumming with authenticity; it's that no actor should be asked to do a sexy dance to Crazy Town's "Butterfly." Ever.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 12, 2013

Collyer has a keen eye for underrepresented populations, but she'd be better served in the future to scale back on the overstatement.

| Nov 12, 2013

This sensitively observed humanistic drama features deeply moving performances by Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon.

| Nov 11, 2013

Incandescent performances and an unerring grasp of milieu distinguish this latest feature from Sherrybaby helmer Laurie Collyer.

| Nov 11, 2013

As Collyer risks caricature,...Watts and Dillon ease Sunlight Jr. back to more grounded, fundamental truths.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 7, 2013

Crafting another well-intentioned, socially conscious film built around a strong female performance, Laurie Collyer drops Sunlight Jr. on audiences like a bomb.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 25, 2013