Holbrook's steely performance makes the film worth seeing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 5, 2020

With his bravura performance, vet actor Hal Holbrook elevates this modest indie rural drama considerably.

| Original Score: B | Jul 28, 2011

Forget Up in the Air: That Evening Sun is truly a film for our times.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 21, 2010

Watching Holbrook, I was reminded again of how steady and valuable this man has been throughout his career.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 22, 2010

As lovely as it is to see the veteran actor Holbrook working his craft as the lead actor in this Southern-fried drama, it's not enough to lift the movie from its sodden melodramatic roots.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 19, 2010

Holbrook expertly carries the film.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 25, 2010

Throughout the film Holbrook does nothing to soften his potentially unlikable character and winds up earning respect, and even a little affection in the process.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 13, 2010

Audiences are fortunate to finally have the chance to see a fine example of how good an independent film can be.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 12, 2010

Whatever magic was in Riordan's books is not in this FX-larded lump of a film.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 12, 2010

A tough, borderline unpleasant movie that keeps us on edge and waiting for something awful to happen. It may be honest, but, like its protagonist, it isn't likable.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 12, 2010

There is a predictability to the story, but that's OK. The acting is superb, Holbrook in particular, making That Evening Sun an understated pleasure.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 10, 2010

If an older actor were looking for a great valedictory role, it would be tough to top Abner Meecham, and Holbrook, 83, makes the most of it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 5, 2010

Generates nearly all of its goodwill from a smashing central performance by a long-established veteran.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 22, 2010

Giving one of the best performances of his career, veteran actor Hal Holbrook gracefully epitomizes the cantankerous curmudgeon in this richly complex human drama.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jan 8, 2010

Still worth watching because of the fine performances by the actors. Just beware, it is very grim and the two main characters really are very obnoxious.

| Original Score: B | Dec 27, 2009

A good, simple film whose reach doesn't exceed its grasp; it feels a bit like an artificially constructed awards-grab flick, yes, but That Evening Sun has an easy, unforced sense of authenticity that takes it a long way.

| Original Score: C+ | Dec 20, 2009

Seems best viewed as a carefully orchestrated character study about a strong-willed man with the dramatic fireworks seemingly slight in comparison.

| Original Score: C+ | Dec 17, 2009

The 84 year old Hal Holbrook shows how it is done in this Oscar worthy tour-de-force performance.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 21, 2009

Holbrook is great as usual...Well-adapted from a William Gay short story by writer-director Scott Teems.

| Original Score: B+ | Nov 20, 2009

Though the movie is filled with complex emotions and a powerful poignancy, it often manages to be darkly funny, thanks to Holbrook's wily, unsentimental portrayal under Teems' smartly calibrated hand.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 20, 2009