The Sunset Limited

About The Sunset Limited

     The Sunset Limited is a 2011 television film aired on HBO, based on the play written by Cormac McCarthy. The philosophical drama unravels within a single room, where two characters with contrasting worldviews wrangle with the questions of life and belief.

Plot and Summary

     The film features Samuel L. Jackson as Black, and Tommy Lee Jones as White. Black, who is religious, saves White, a professor and an atheist, from committing suicide. However, the two engage in profound discussions about faith, life, and sorrow, during their interaction within the confines of Black's apartment.

Making / Production

     The Sunset Limited was directed by Tommy Lee Jones and adapted from the eponymous stage play by McCarthy. The film attempts to visually translate the strength and complexity of its original text while maintaining the deep-cut tension between the two characters.

Actors

• Samuel L. Jackson as Black: Jackson brilliantly portrays the character who lives in the projects, and represents belief and faith. He passionately argues the case for life, with his strong religious conviction.
• Tommy Lee Jones as White: Jones plays a professor who has lost faith in the world. His cynistically intellectual and empathetically despairing performance adds depth to the movie.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Although the movie primarily takes place in a single room, it vividly depicts contrasting philosophies of life and belief.
• Tommy Lee Jones not only stars as White but also serves as the director of the film.

Quotes

• "Nothing matters. Nothing matters but that I felt despair."
• "Truth is in the world. It's not in your heart, nor my heart."

Music, Soundtrack

     The film does not rely on a traditional music score; instead, it emphasizes on dialogue and silences to create suspense and drama.