Director: Daniel Peddle
Writer: Daniel Peddle
Stars: William Dickerson, Andy Foltz, Liliane Gillenwater
On a lazy afternoon, two tales intertwine in this meditative portrayal of disaffected youth set in a graveyard of abandoned mobile homes known as Sunset Edge. Four suburban teens rummage through the decay completely unaware of the shadowy figure that moves among them – a tormented soul with a horrific past. Day turns to night and people disappear as the secrets of Sunset Edge are revealed in a haunting finale. Part gothic thriller, part coming-of-age tale, SUNSET EDGE is a Hitchcockian mash-up that upends teenage horror films. Shot entirely on location in North Carolina, the director’s Southern roots are the inspiration for the film. In setting his story amidst the rural decay of this pastoral landscape, Peddle captures a poignant snapshot of American culture. He manipulates time and linearity to create a gripping, layered story. Using only available natural light, he doesn’t rely on special effects or gore to enhance the drama or tension. The sparse dialogue gives his characters a natural quality, permitting the audience the vantage point of unseen observer. (C) Cavu
With lavish cinematography that resembles the style of Terrence Malick, Sunset Edge places viewer into the confusing and convoluted world of awkward adolescence with mixed results. This is much more abstract and poetic than I was expecting. Honestly, I wanted more from the story, but appreciated and was very moved by the look of this movies and the filmmaking techniques. Sunset Edge is slower than it needs to be with the pacing where audiences keep waiting for something to happen. You will be waiting for a while.
Even though I have issues with the pacing, I really was enthralled during the third act of Sunset Edge. The paint ball scene is eerie embodying the impending doom against a generation amongst a wasteland of dilapidated houses. The score was effective in setting the tone through out the movie but especially during these scenes. The night time climax was creepy especially how it was shot and what we couldn’t see. The use of shadows was rather unsettling during this moment. However, this is when the narrative unravels both into chaos and into a vast array of meaninglessness. Sunset Edge did leave more to be desired, but director Daniel Peddle has alot of potential as a filmmaker.
I rate Sunset Edge a 6 out of 10.
