Search - Sunshine

The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama, with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century, as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein (the name means "Sunshine" in German) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel (David de Keyser), the only survivor of the tragedy, travels to Budapest, carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business, and Emmanuel and his wife Rose (Miriam Margolyes) raise two sons, Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes), who becomes a successful lawyer, and hot-tempered Gustave (James Frain). The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie (Jennifer Ehle), but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually, Valerie and Ignatz raise two children, Istvan (Mark Strong) and Adam (Ralph Fiennes), and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism sweeping Europe. In time, Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism, and he marries another Catholic, Hannah (Molly Parker). He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife, Greta (Rachel Weisz), who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son, Ivan, who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp; as Ivan grows to adulthood (now played by Ralph Fiennes), he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr (William Hurt), but a liaison with the wife of a party official (Deborah Kara Unger) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time, Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co-wrote Sunshine's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ralph Fiennes - Adam Sors
Ralph Fiennes - Ignatz Sonnenschein
Ralph Fiennes - Ivan Sors
Rosemary Harris - Older Valerie Sors
Rachel Weisz - Greta Sors
Jennifer Ehle - Young Valerie Sonnenschein/Sors
Molly Parker - Hannah Wippler Sors

1999	Best Actor (winner)	European Film Academy	Ralph Fiennes
1999	Best European Screenwriter (winner)	European Film Academy	István Szabó
1999	Best European Screenwriter (winner)	European Film Academy	Israel Horovitz
1999	Best Cinematography (winner)	European Film Academy	Lajos Koltai
2000	Best Director (nominee)	Golden Globe	István Szabó
2000	Best Original Score (nominee)	Golden Globe	Maurice Jarre
1999	Best Original Score (nominee)	Genie Awards	Maurice Jarre
1999	Best Actor (nominee)	Genie Awards	Ralph Fiennes
1999	Best Actress (nominee)	Genie Awards	Jennifer Ehle
1999	Best Actress (nominee)	Genie Awards	Rosemary Harris
1999	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominee)	Genie Awards	James Frain
1999	Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominee)	Genie Awards	William Hurt
1999	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Genie Awards	Rachel Weisz
1999	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Genie Awards	Deborah Kara Unger
1999	Best Director (nominee)	Genie Awards	István Szabó
1999	Best Costume Design (nominee)	Genie Awards	Gyorgy Szakacs
1999	Best Sound (winner)	Genie Awards	Keith Elliott
1999	Best Sound (winner)	Genie Awards	Daniel Pellerin
1999	Best Sound (winner)	Genie Awards	Glen Gauthier
1999	Best Sound (winner)	Genie Awards	Peter Kelly
1999	Best Sound Editing (winner)	Genie Awards	Fred Brennan
1999	Best Sound Editing (winner)	Genie Awards	Jane Tattersall
1999	Best Sound Editing (winner)	Genie Awards	Andy Malcolm
1999	Best Sound Editing (winner)	Genie Awards	David McCallum
1999	Best Sound Editing (winner)	Genie Awards	Dina Eaton

Sunshine includes countless memorable scenes of visual splendor, and this wonderful transfer showcases all this beauty in fine form. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is virtually devoid of any defects or grain and features sparkling, bright colors. The picturesque yellow flowers brushed across the family's patio jump off the screen and virtually float into one's living room. The black-and-white historical footage does contain blemishes, but these appear purposeful to signify the limited technology of the time. This is a near-reference quality transfer, and it combines nicely with the lush photography to create an exciting viewing experience. One common element throughout the generations in Sunshine is the simple, emotional piano theme played by members of the family. Within this impressive 5.1-channel Dolby Digital transfer, these musical sounds spring to life clearly and effectively. The dialogue also flows clearly from each speaker, and the volume level adjusts well to the louder, difficult moments. While the surrounds are utilized decently, they could have been used a bit more to increase the depth of the transfer. It still ranks far above the Dolby Surround track, which provides a clear sound without the same amount of elegance and power. The complexity of Sunshine literally begs for a feature-length commentary track from writer/director Istivan Szabo. Sadly, this disc only contains the film, and it fails to include even the basic promotional documentary, cast information, or theatrical trailer. While shallow films such as Little Nicky and Battlefield Earth receive full-fledged treatments, Paramount slights the DVD enthusiast with this release. ~ Dan Heaton, All Movie Guide

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