Sophie and the Rising Sun (2016) Reviews

• Better Than Expected

  Moviegoer192017-05-13

  As the summary/title implies I didn't think this was going to be that great, and I was pleasantly surprised. I think what sold me on it was the fact that the two main characters, i.e., the individuals who made up the interracial couple, wound up together. I didn't expect that. The film was a combination of the predictable and the unpredictable, the above being an example of the latter. As these two characters endeavored to be together, to have their relationship despite the predictable obstacles you'd expect in the 1941 South, they encountered typical racist people and their behaviors. But the plot and the film were uplifted by the "true Christian" character played by Margo Martindale, and by the ending in which the sympathetic black friend/employee (played by Lorraine Touissant) had an encounter with the racist "Christian" woman. In this encounter, happily and to my surprise, no one got shot, though there was a gun, and no one even got hurt. In fact,the happy ending of the couple going off together resulted from this encounter. The very end, of course, is bittersweet where the couple is together, but in a Japanese internment camp, which, somehow because of their ongoing love, doesn't seem quite so terrible. I really enjoyed the acting of all four main characters. I also thought they were well cast, as visually their faces are all unique and engaging in their own ways.

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• Beautiful film, wonderful acting - gorgeous movie!

  agbartholomew2017-02-15

  "Sophie and the Rising Sun" is a beautifully filmed movie with excellent acting - Margo Martindale and Lorraine Toussaint are particularly strong and give outstanding performances. Visually the film is gorgeous. Wolfgang Held brings magic to the screen with his incredible rich and intense cinematography. Though the story is set in a different time period it vibrates with relevance to today. Sophie comes to us at a time when we can only benefit by the questions it raises. You leave the film with the sad recognition that what was once still exists today. Prejudice and bigotry remains.

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• Totally enjoyable, full of emotion, and intrigue

  funndsunxoxo2017-06-17

  This movie was a winner for me. I enjoy true to life stories. I knew it was a winner within the first 10 minutes. Gripping, tantalizing and oh.... so romantic. The characters kept my attention. The emotion they emit is so sweet. The story is interesting and held my attention. I wanted more and did not want to stop watching it. So happy to share. I don't find many movies that are 10 stars for me and hope you enjoy it also. This is for true romantics.

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• Autumn of 1941 in Salty Creek, a fishing village in South Carolina, two interracial lovers are swept up in the tides of history.

  vkgreene2017-02-07

  Sophie and the Rising Sun transports us back to a very traditional South Carolina town during 1941. With beautiful cinematography, breathtaking scenery and strong characters. Sophie (Julianne Nicholson), a non-traditional woman and a Japanese young man, Grover Ohta (Takashi Yamaguchi) are drawn to one another through their love of nature and painting. Sophie paints nature and Grover paints Sophie. This story is told through a woman's point of view with compassion, love and authenticity despite the racism evident throughout the community. Margo Martindale, Diane Ladd and Lorraine Toussaint, each with their own backstory complete this talented cast. The subject matter in Sophie and the Rising Sun is as relevant today as it was during World War II as racism and sexism continue to exist. This is a film about women, created by women. And, I fell in love with the characters, just as Sophie and Grover fell in love with each other.

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• Powerfull, emotional

  philzone-506002018-03-23

  Great story and acting. Time accurate. A real enjoyable film.