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Sunshine (1999)

Sunshine (1999)
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The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama, with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century, as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein (the name means "Sunshine" in German) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel (David de Keyser), the only survivor of the tragedy, travels to Budapest, carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business, and Emmanuel and his wife Rose (Miriam Margolyes) raise two sons, Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes), who becomes a successful lawyer, and hot-tempered Gustave (James Frain). The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie (Jennifer Ehle), but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually, Valerie and Ignatz raise two children, Istvan (Mark Strong) and Adam (Ralph Fiennes), and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism sweeping Europe. In time, Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism, and he marries another Catholic, Hannah (Molly Parker). He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife, Greta (Rachel Weisz), who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son, Ivan, who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp; as Ivan grows to adulthood (now played by Ralph Fiennes), he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr (William Hurt), but a liaison with the wife of a party official (Deborah Kara Unger) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time, Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co-wrote Sunshine's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Ralph Fiennes, Rosemary Harris, (more)
Director(s):
István Szabó
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Sunshine

The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama, with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century, as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein (the name means "Sunshine" in German) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel (David de Keyser), the only survivor of the tragedy, travels to Budapest, carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business, and Emmanuel and his wife Rose (Miriam Margolyes) raise two sons, Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes), who becomes a successful lawyer, and hot-tempered Gustave (James Frain). The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie (Jennifer Ehle), but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually, Valerie and Ignatz raise two children, Istvan (Mark Strong) and Adam (Ralph Fiennes), and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism sweeping Europe. In time, Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism, and he marries another Catholic, Hannah (Molly Parker). He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife, Greta (Rachel Weisz), who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son, Ivan, who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp; as Ivan grows to adulthood (now played by Ralph Fiennes), he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr (William Hurt), but a liaison with the wife of a party official (Deborah Kara Unger) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time, Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co-wrote Sunshine's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
180 mins

Complete Cast of Sunshine


Director(s):
István Szabó
Writer(s):
Israel Horovitz, István Szabó
Producer(s):
Andras Hamori, Robert Lantos
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Sexual Situations, Adult Language, Violence, Nudity)
Categories:
Independent Films
Sunshine Awards:
  • 1999 - European Film Academy - Best Cinematography
  • 1999 - European Film Academy - Best Actor
  • 1999 - European Film Academy - Best European Screenwriter
  • 1999 - European Film Academy - Best European Screenwriter
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Picture
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
  • 1999 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (21)
     
    Jonathan C.

    Ralph Fiennes plays three parts in this movie and does them very well, even though the basic essence of his characters never change. All the people he plays have a distinct commanality to them, arrogance and denial. The historical part goes through the political changes of the Austro-Hungarian empire, taking place in Budapest. It starts with it in a monarchial state. When World War II occurs, the country turns into a facist state, and then after the war, becomes Socialistic. In the end, all the governments acted the same and no real progress was made. The lesson I think to be learned was that no matter what type of culture you are living in, you must never compromise who you are, or deny it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tamas I.

    great, possibly true story of one family during the whole XXth century. must see.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Herman C.

    Wonderful story and look at some historical facts vs a lot of fiction.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 21 Reviews
       

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