Written and directed by leading actress Nina Conti, co-written by leading actor Shenoah Allen, disappearing into a monkey costume and creating a new persona, Jane strives to break free from a toxic relationship when she encounters a suicidal radio show host, Roy, who presents a path to freedom. Also starring: Melissa Chambers and Bill Wise.
If you’re a fan of road trip films but feel that they’ve gotten a little repetitive or unoriginal, then Sunlight is absolutely the film for you. It takes unlikely connections and dealing with emotional issues to a new level. Nina Conti sets the tone as intensely and delightfully weird right off the bat. The level of strange is exactly where it needs to be, the sense of humour is exceptional and utterly charming. Not only does Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen’s writing hit the nail on the head with the comedy, the brokenness that they give their characters is surprisingly moving.
To capture that balance between the silliness and the sincerity is impressive, to give a woman in a monkey suit that looks like it was pulled out of the 1970s, genuine layers is remarkable. The way that Jane (Conti) and Roy (Allen) build their relationship is oddly wholesome. There’s something to their complete honesty and openness with one another that’s truly enthralling. It ultimately comes down to portraying the huge impact that a simple, sympathetic human connection can have.
They also add a fairly twisted edge to the story, but the atmosphere Conti creates means that it never actually becomes dark, despite adding a black touch to the humour. There’s a lightness to Sunlight, it strikes a tone that’s not far removed from Everything Everywhere All At Once. The blend of English and American senses of humour is done really well, it mixes a bit of Americana with some classic British sarcasm. The only element of the writing which isn’t quite as strong is the ending, it feels like the pacing and tone shifts too much and weakens the impact.
Although the quality of the direction never dips, it’s shot so well to bring in some wonderful landscape shots but also hold onto the intimacy of their road trip. The cinematography (by James Kwan) is strong throughout, it holds a nostalgic quality. The progression does a great job of blending together quieter, personal moments and faster, almost action-like moments. It’s constantly adding to itself, doesn’t slow down but never feels as though it’s rushing. It also feels as though it could happily live in the same realm as Napoleon Dynamite.
Then there’s the performances, and Conti and Allen are simply joyous. The gigantic heart that they build for Sunlight is ridiculously charming, they have such a natural connection and chemistry. It comes from an emotionally vulnerable place, each struggling in their own ways but finding a way through within each other, it’s very sweet. There are strong personalities at work, particularly Conti’s Jane/Monkey, she’s a force to be reckoned with but is also fighting herself within the suit. Whereas Roy is a gentle soul being pushed to his limits, wanting to give up but finding hope in Jane. They are an exceptionally fun duo to watch and when Melissa Chambers and Bill Wise get to throw their characters into the mix, it bumps up the chaos nicely.
Sunlight is exactly what you think it will be, a strange film about a woman in a monkey suit befriending a meek man, at the end of his rope, it’s an odd concept in the best of ways. It’s hilarious, charming, fun and surprising, it’s a truly original film which is always a pleasure to find. Nina Conti puts such a clever blend of comedy and drama together to create something highly memorable and chaotic but also genuinely moving. She’s excellently paired with Shenoah Allen and together they create a slightly twisted, entirely entertaining and unique film, that’s the remarkable rom-com you never knew you needed.
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