REVIEW: The Sun Is Also A Star Does Not Live Up To It’s Name
The Sun Is Also A Star is the story of one day between star-crossed lovers on the cusp of adulthood. They encounter one another and change their lives forever. For analytical, pragmatic Natasha, played by Yara Shahidi, her world is crashing down. Her family is preparing for their deportation to Jamaica and she will do anything in her power to stop it. For romantic Daniel, he’d rather spend his days writing poetry, but instead has to interview for a spot at Dartmouth College. Dartmouth is his parents’ dream and where he will honor his family by becoming a doctor. Destiny soon intervenes and shows that one decision can really change your life.
The film is lacking in the most exhausting way. Despite being based on the novel by Nicola Yoon, there isn’t enough quality material in the movie. The acting is stilited, the story is trite, and while New York City is beautiful, it doesn’t warrant the overabundance of solo shots. Director Ry Russo-Young spends the majority of the film switching back and forth between closeups of the leads and panning over iconic New York City locations.
If the goal of the film is to leave the audience optimistic that love can overcome all odds, it misses the mark. Audience members will question every decision the leads made and wonder why certain characters are even introduced in the first place. Some characters are obviously only there to push the story forward but others could have been left out altogether and nothing of value would be lost.
The Sun Is Also a Star never has a chance to develop the lead characters. Natasha’s desire to remain in NYC is evident and Daniel’s dreams outside of his parent’s expectations are clear, yet neither is ever given more to work with. Montages are heavily relied on to show how the two fall in love and show how their lives evolve after their one day together. But with everything taking place in one day it would have been nice to see Shahidi and Melton given an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Shahidi and Melton are beautiful on screen together, it’s a real shame they weren’t given more of a story to work off. The characters of Natasha and Daniel aren’t exceptionally likeable but Melton and Shahidi try their best with what they’re given.
The Sun is Also A Star is lackadaisical and predictable. If the goal is to see a young-love romance, watch the first film based on a Nicola Yoon book, Everything, Everything. At least that flick had a little bit of something to offer.
Grade: C