If there’s one takeaway from 2024’s Suncoast, the latest film from Searchlight Pictures, it’s that leading actress Nico Parker is a force to reckoned with. Her control over every scene is captivating. But beyond that, the film explores what happens to a family when your entire life is dedicated to taking care of an incapacitated family member.
Suncoast follows the story of Doris, a teenager who lives with her mother Kristine and brother Max. Max has cancer and has been rendered practically incapacited. In need of constant care, Kristine and Doris spend a majority of their time caring for him. When Max is finally transferred to the Suncoast facility, a hospice facility and site of a controversial court case, it allows for both Doris and Kristine learn more about themselves.
I’ve heard a lot from others that they wished the film focused more on the political ramifications of the court case that surrounds the film. Many feel as if it’s a missed opportunity to send a greater message or dive deeper into these themes, and that the film is worse off for it. I do not share in these sentiments. I think that writer/director Laura Chinn, who based the film off her own life experiences, weaved artfully within the themes of the film. Had they focused too much attention away from Parker’s Doris and her relationships with her mother, brother and newfound friends, then the impact of the message would have been lessened drastically.
Instead, Suncoast gives us an incredibly intimate portrait of teenage life. It’s not pretty, and it may not be perfect, but it’s life all the same. It helps that Parker delivers a breakthrough performance. I haven’t seen anyone capture so well what it’s like to be the shy kid since Logan Lerman’s generational performance in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Add that to an incredibly convincing familial relationship between Doris and Kristine (Laura Linney), and the bones for an excellent film are there.
This portrait is echoed in the way the film is shot. There’s a simple, subtle brilliance to how Suncoast looks. It perfectly mirrors the innocence of the main character. The vintage vibe and easy-on-the-eyes camera style should really be used more often in indie filmmaking.
The film finishes rather predictably, and with no additional frills and thrills to subvert audience expectations. I like how Chinn strayed away from adding unnecessary conflict to the film. Maybe there needed to be something to give it that extra oomph to make it across the finish line, but perhaps not.
Final Thoughts
Hulu has accomplished an early-year highlight for the second year in a row, following last year’s incredible Bruiser. Suncoast is gripping and emotional in the right ways, and should be at the top of your watch list to begin 2024.
