47
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75The Film StageJared MobarakThe Film StageJared MobarakYou 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.
- 63Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreWhatever 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.
- 60The New York TimesTeo BugbeeThe New York TimesTeo BugbeeThis 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.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeSlate 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.
- 50IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandAt 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.
- 50The A.V. ClubShannon MillerThe A.V. ClubShannon MillerUnfortunately, everything engaging about the narrative is overshadowed by gratuitous quirkiness.
- 40Film ThreatMatthew PassantinoFilm ThreatMatthew PassantinoIt’s easy to disappear into the setting of The Sunlit Night but if only the narrative were as involving.
- 40VarietyPeter DebrugeVarietyPeter DebrugeHere, Wnendt suppresses his naturally provocative streak to deliver an aggressively cute existential comedy instead.
- 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.