The Sun Is Also A Star
review by Drusilla Blakey
It’s been great seeing so much diversity in film over the last couple of years thanks to some big films like Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians proving they were something people wanted. The latest The Sun Is Also A Star based on the book by Nicola Yoon and stars Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton isn’t a big tent pole feature, but still looks to be bringing more diversity to theaters. Could this be another positive hit for diversity in Hollywood or will it be a relationship not worth having?
The Sun Is Also A Star follows Natasha, a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. She is not the type of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when her family is twelve hours away from being deported. Falling in love with him will not be her story. Daniel has always been the good son, the good student, living up to his parents' high expectations. Never a poet. Or a dreamer. But when he sees her, he forgets all that. Something about Natasha makes him think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store - for both of them. Every moment has brought them to this single moment. A million futures lie before them. Which one will come true?
This was such a great and out of the ordinary love story. I was so excited to be able to see some different cultures represented and brought together in this film. Our main characters, Natasha and Daniel, played by Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton are from what would be considered opposite worlds. Natasha and her family are immigrants from Jamaica and Charles is first generation Korean. So, it was interesting to see their respective struggles, the family dynamics and to realize, that even though we may all be from different parts of the world, we all need love and acceptance.
I also enjoyed the story telling of this movie. It’s not your typical “boy meets girl
story”, it’s actually an epic love story told in one day’s time. Our main characters take on the challenge of proving whether or not love exists and if it can be scientifically proven. They are also each dealing with major life choices, family problems and unresolved dilemmas that have the potential to completely change the direction of their lives.
It’s a very big and heavy story and I was pleasantly surprised with how it was told. The story kept moving at a steady pace and kept the audience interested and engaged. I was particularly enjoying how the story was wrapping up and coming to an end, but then the movie took an unwelcomed turn and took us, to what I felt, was a hugely disappointing “story book” ending. *barf
Perhaps the film makers were trying to give us what they think the audience wants, but I always think it’s better to go for the unexpected. So for me, it was all good until the last 5 minutes; but I did find it to be an enjoyable film overall and I hope everyone makes time to see it. I think it’s always good to reinforce the importance of love!
Grab your copy of The Sun Is Also A Star available now on Digital and then on DVD August 20th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.