Drew's

Date Reviewed	2/5/2010
Title	That Evening Sun
Rating
Directed By :	Scott Teems
Starring :	Hal Holbrook, Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins, Dixie Carter, Barry Corbin, Carrie Person and Mia Wasikowska
Review	“Into the Wild” gave Hal Holbrook’s career some resuscitation as he lands the lead role in “That Evening Sun.” He stars as Abner Meecham, an eighty-year old farmer that was assertively coerced by his son to enter a retirement home following a fall with a hip replacement. Several months later, he decides he wants out so he bails returning home to find unwanted and unexpected guests living on his farm. Walton Goggins plays Abner’s son Paul, the attorney. He obtains legal power over his estate and rents out the place to an old disrespected acquaintance. The old man just wants to live out his uncertain days on the property he took a lifetime to earn. Ray McKinnon seems born to play a southern malcontent redneck. He was great in 2004s “Chrystal” with Billy Bob Thornton. As the villain he’s Lonzo Choat, known as a lazy drunk thief that doesn’t earn income. He’s leasing the Meecham residence with an option to buy. Carrie Preston co-stars as Ludie, Lonzo’s wife with a heavy dose of naivety and low self esteem. Bless her troubled heart! Mia Wasikowska has the role as the curious and typical teenager named Pamela. As she matures, she’s trying to figure out things with questions and observation. This is a fairly quiet tale of a property dispute regarding two men that believe they don’t have to be flexible. Any sort of cordial formalities have exited the screen through select choice of words and uninviting body language. The pair goes back and forth trying to get the other to back away; however, they both maintain their position firmly. They have a negative history going back at least twenty years so their relationship was stained far beyond this situation. Both characters are intriguingly fallible. The picture has a calm but troubled tone. Holbrook is almost eighty-five years old and deserves a best actor nomination. This wouldn’t be for his body of work as an old timer’s gesture. Hal’s portrayal of Abner is feisty, patient and stubborn. He was a mean bastard that has no problem resorting to his more familiar demeanor. He’s dealing with a meaner bastard that lacks resources and leverage. “That Evening Sun” is a forgettable title, but not a forgettable film. Holbrook, McKinnon, Goggins, Preston and Wasikowska are fantastic as a team bringing some Tennessee authenticity to the big screen. This little gem should do quite well at home instead of the box office. Drew's Reviews, copyright 2010, Drewsmoviereviews.com, property of Drew Bean.