Sunset Story
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: B- Documentary: B-
Lucille and Irja are 95 and 81 years old respectively and
Laura Gabbert’s documentary Sunset Story (2003) is a charming, amusing,
entertaining and bittersweet look at their lives and the spirit to still be
individual thinkers and highly political at that. They know what they like, what they think, and no one is going to
change their minds. The feature has had
a good reputation since its debut and for the most part, it is well deserved.
Unfortunately, it only runs 75 minutes and there was much
more to say and do. More questions
could and should have been asked, while even more history than the personal
lives of the ladies who are the practical leads would have been nice, but the other
thing that does work here so well is the time spent on side stories with the
other elderly residents. It is sad as
always when it seems like they do not know where they are, why they are there,
may have been dumped in this place (no matter how nice it is) and miss the
homes they once had. In contrast, Irja
and Lucille seem to be more able-bodied simply because they were more open and
politically minded. It is something to
think about. Sunset Story is
worth your time.
The 1.33 X 1 NTSC analog, videotaped image is fine for its
age and as clear as it is going to get.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo actually had Pro Logic surrounds, in part
because of Peter Galub’s score, but this sounds good for a program that was
taped on sight. Extras include two audio
commentaries, deleted/extended scenes, a trailer, poster gallery, bios, 2003
LA/IFP Film Festival Q&A and background info on Sunset Hall. These extras really enhance the main
program, so you won’t want to miss this on DVD.
- Nicholas Sheffo
