The Sun at Midnight (2016) User Reviews

An indie gem!

[TheDome81 · 7/10 · 30 June 2023]

I love indie flicks like this. It's a slow-moving drama that's set in the Arctic Circle in Canada. As you'd expect, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The story is a simple one. And the acting is quite good.

Lia (Devery Jacobs) is sent up north to spend time with her Gwich'in grandmother. Her mother passed away and her father feels he just can't handle her. Lia is a jaded city girl and soon gets bored with life in the sleepy Arctic community. She longs for the city and soon runs away. Lia has no idea how to survive in the wilderness and when she runs into Alfred (Duane Howard), a First Nation older gentleman, he takes her under his wing. He's a hunter in search of a legendary caribou herd that hasn't been seen in a while. The two form a special friendship and he's a philosopher and shares his knowledge freely. He's very low keyed, and when he philosophizes, he reminds me a little of Chief Dan George if you remember him. He's almost Buddha-like in his approach to life.

While searching for the herd, Alfred is severely injured after being mauled by a bear. It's at this point where Lia rises to the occasion. She has to act quickly or Alfred could die. The outcome was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed it none the less. It's just a great little flick almost no one has ever heard of.

As good as anything I saw in 2018!

[freydis-e · 7/10 · 4 February 2019]

Competently directed and superbly acted, this great little film has an awful lot to teach the big directors and studios who sink millions into projects which are not nearly as good. This can't have cost much to shoot, but makes the most of its three shining stars, the two lead actors and the amazing scenery of Arctic Canada. Just gorgeous.

There's nothing hugely original here and not much of a story - it's a character piece and, to be honest, doesn't even need the few minutes of drama it contains (though these work well enough). But those characters! Writer-director Kirsten Carthew has created a rare urban princess who is neither irritating nor pitiable, brilliantly played by Devery Jacobs. A total fish out of water, this absolutely real and thoroughly frustrated character never moans but struggles to come to grips with her new environment, rather than blindly kicking out against it - therefore we love her and want her to succeed. The hunter character meanwhile is super laid-back and again completely believable, as opposed to the irascible arms-length hermit-types we so often meet in movies like this.

Not everything is done as well as it might be. The cross is OTT and the very passive reaction to a situation which cries out for the kind of aggression on show at other times is just the opposite. And the last five minutes, where the director rushes to tie up every conceivable loose end, are best forgotten. But small imperfections cannot spoil what is an excellent little film and a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. As good as any film I've seen this year.

mesmerizing

[mohd_ali_1 · 7/10 · 21 May 2019]

The outdoors life. Living in nature. Made me miss the northern areas of my country. A subtle experience without twists, a story of an experience, unusual bond, and a lesson on how to live in nature i.e., you never kill a wolf its badluck and wolves hate the smell of tabacco. A good soothing film for a quite afternoon. Devery Jacobs is lovely.

A good film about finding one's own true self.

[LaxFan94 · 7/10 · 22 August 2020]

I found this film to be a little sad in that it was really about a young girl doing some soul searching. I feel that she was trying to find herself and where she could fit in. As with many teens her age, they usually try to find themselves. In her case, she was sent up north to see her grandma but things changed as she ran away into the woods. It was at that moment when life became challenging for her after meeting the person who would ultimately help her in her struggles. It was good that she went up there because it taught her the value of responsibilities, hard work and how to get through life's challenges and difficulties. That experience taught her all about the values of life because as far as I'm concerned, she never learned anything about life before going up there. So it was good that she went up and saw the true meaning of life: living with her own Indigenous folks. It taught her all about her culture and values. I found this to be a good life lesson for her. Anyway, that's my views on this one.

Film shows the raw reality of the north.

[fillionlandscapes · 8/10 · 8 March 2018]

I saw this film at a private screening in Yellowknife. I am very skeptical and I expected another B-List film. While the cinematography styles may have left something to be desired, there was no lacking in the plot. The film was well presented in a way that is not "over the top" but is also not "lacking". While the ending of the film felt a bit abrupt, almost as though they forgot to add the last scene, the journey to get to that point was thrilling and exhilarating at almost every point.

I enjoyed this film more than any big name film that I have seen in the last two years.

Surprisingly Great

[brunocapouillez · 10/10 · 28 November 2018]

I watched this film in Australia and wasn't sure what to expect. The story was so simple and well told that I somehow forgot that I had just been introduced to new characters and a place/part of the world I had never been. Truly exceptional indie film... I hope more people get the chance to see.

An astonishing film. What a story

[latinfineart · 9/10 · 17 February 2019]

This is a really gorgeous film. It's a small production but it is a riveting story with tremendous performances by Duane Howard and Devery Jacobs. The direction is pitch perfect and it happens that the very talented director also wrote this little gem. The character played by Howard is such a rich, kind, compassionate character. It is rare these days to see a character so well formed. This is a film that is made for adults and is such a wonderful counterpoint to the dribble that Hollywood is cranking out by the dozens at this point in time. If you like great Independent cinema, if you like a real story written not written for kids, you will find this film to be such a breath of fresh air. Thank you and kudos to all involved in this heartfelt project.

I miss the North!

[shannan-66322 · 9/10 · 29 November 2018]

This film reminds me of home and makes me miss the North!