Victor Nunoz's Coastlines is a nice small town drama with some top players all giving fine work, causing me to wonder why more people haven't heard of it, and how come it didn't get a wider release. In any case, it's low key and really captures the quaint rural vibe of less densely populated areas in the states. The cast is absolutely to die for, consisting mainly of very distinct, frequently garish actors who all play it dead straight and relaxed, which is a huge switch up for most of them. Timothy Olyphant plays Sonny Mann, an ex convict recently released from prison, quietly arriving back to his Florida hometown, and the dregs of the life he left behind. His Pa (the ever awesome Scott Wilson) is conflicted by long simmering resentment, and the love for his son buried just beneath. Sonny reconnects with his best friend Dave Lockhart (Josh Brolin), who has become the town's sheriff in the years gone by. Sparks fly between Dave's wife (Sarah Wynter) and Sonny, creating a rift between the two and illustrating Sonny's unavoidable knack for creating trouble for himself, and those around him. Further tension comes along when the town's local crime lord Fred Vance (William Forsythe at his most genial and sedated) tries to strong-arm Sonny into assisting with nefarious deeds, using his younger brother Eddie (Josh Lucas) to convince him. Even when tragedy strikes and these characters go head to head, it's in the most relaxed, laconic way that permeates southern life. Robert Wisdom has a nice bit, Angela Bettis shows up as a girl with a thing for bad boys, and watch for the late great Daniel Von Bargen as the local Sheriff. This one fits nicely into a niche that leans heavily on small town drama, dips its toes ever so slightly into thriller territory, and is a charming little piece that's worth a look to see these actors on an acting sabbatical.

Well, the actors did well. The men are all really easy on the eyes and the women look better than real people ought to. The camera work is pretty good and overall values (filmwise) are more than respectable. The message here is that male bonding trumps love. Well, here's a bit of a news flash. It doesn't work this way. Men can and do love each other in all kinds of ways and some men love women but not in this way. The end is more than an effort to tie up the loose ends. it tries to make a STATEMENT. The statement is wrong. Go watch Wuthering Heights, take two aspirin and watch Coastliners once more. Then it will seem pretty obvious that the old saying isn't "greater love hath no man than to lay down his wife for his friend." I for one understand the lag in releasing this. They should have redone the ending and maybe it wouldn't be so hard to remember the actual quote, "greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friend."

This movie seems to be in commercial release finally, and you should see it. It is a companion to Ruby in Paradise and Yulee's Gold, both by Victor Nunez, and has most of their virtues (and drawbacks, maybe -- for example, I don't like the sound design choices that have been made in any of these movies....). The languid feel of the coastal towns from Carabelle to Apalachicola (Florida) is well evoked -- though the story could, I suppose, happen most anywhere. The three lead actors are all outstanding.Many of the locales in which the film is set look very different today, after hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005), not to mention further commercial development.

i drove josh for 5 days at this sundance film festival premier... he scored a nice seat for me to watch this film when i dropped him off at the theatre... i loved this movie too, hopefully it will be available soon... there were some slower parts, as there are with all movies, but it was paced very well overall and the anxiety intended was portrayed very nicely by the actors involved... i wouldn't say it was fantastic, but it was definitely a well written, well acted script with some crazy twists in plot that kept me wondering what the hell would happen next - those movies i like... and sarah wynter, come on already - what a sweet woman with a wonderful Aussie accent and personable spirit... josh is a great guy also, down to earth, funny, talented, and a wonderful person to work for...