The Sunlit Night - A Movie Review
The film's story is missing in the brush strokes.

It’s a relief to be inside a place that knows what it is.
The Sunlit Night is a 2019 film. Frances, an aspiring painter travels from New York to Norway for an opportunity to expand her art talents. She meets eccentric locals in the small town as she explores art and love.
The Sunlit Night occupies a tapestry of colors and beautiful artwork, but its story is missing in the brush strokes. As an art lover, I had faith in this film. What looks like a movie about a woman finding herself turns into an unfinished scattered plot.
The main reason why I checked this movie out was for Jenny Slate after seeing her recent performance in It Ends With Us. Fran is an amazing artist, but she is a self-absorbed person who refuses to seek alternatives.
Fran should be lucky to have been invited to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by Nils (Fridtjav Sahelm), still, she takes no responsibility for her actions, ignores open invitations, and dismisses projects for a one-sided romance.
None of the side characters are explored, not even Nils. He is a remote artist with a unique artistic eye. At first, he’s not open to Fran and I thought it was him who would learn a lesson. His character is a waste when Nils has an intriguing backstory and personality.
Instead, the film pays more attention to this subplot that has nothing to do with the story surrounding art. It’s a different movie! During her many walks into the town, Fran meets Yasha (Alex Sharp), a young man mourning his father.
The film traveled to the land of endless channel-changing instead of Norway. The writers were not concise on the plot, adding filler. It steers away from the artistic plotline to focus on Yarna’s father’s burial.
Fran becomes so involved with this ceremony that she steps in and ignores what she came here to do. Out of the characters, Yasha had the most intriguing story. Were writers playing rock-paper-scissor to decide who the main character was and then settled it by making a film about both of them?
Speaking of which, the ‘romance’ between Fran and Yasha is not convincing in any way. Yarna recoils from Fran’s advances when she puts his head on his shoulder. There was never any consent. Now all of a sudden it’s a love story? Here’s an actual quote from Fran, “Painting is a focus, love was an escape.” If she says so!
The Sunlit Night is a strange film. The way it was directed is unrealistic. If only it could help us understand what director David Wnendt was channeling. There’s no heart to the story. Movies about self-discovery reflect themes about growth, friendship, and learning what we are truly capable of. I’m not sure if Fran learned anything by the end of the movie.
Most scenes are random, like Fran asking a stranger to pose nude for a painting, Fran doesn’t get into trouble when Nils finds her and Yasha in his barn the morning after they’ve had sex, surrounded by Nil’s artwork. He has important art critics with him and no punishment is given!
The cinematography is the film’s savior. Filmmakers make excellent use of scenery and artwork. I loved the scenes where we watched characters paint on canvas. The world of an artist is complex. Artwork helps us connect with our feelings and make new projects.
I only recommend The Sunlit Night for its appealing cinematography. Apparently, it’s based on a book, so I wonder if it’s any better than the movie.
About the Creator
Marielle Sabbag
Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.




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