ReelBob: ‘Sunspot’ ★★½

By Bob Bloom

“Sunspot” is a minimalist movie that is more interested in its characters than telling a story.

It’s a streamlined production, running 53 minutes, that follows River (Joelle Montoya), as she interacts with friends and other people who enter her orbit.

The film marks the debut of writer-director Brian Mihok who, smartly, doesn’t try to stretch his film.

He simply lets his camera linger on River and her friends as they live day-to-day, blue-collar lives. Their lives are going nowhere, and they seem more accepting than resigned or bitter.

We understand about the characters more from the locales Mihok utilizes than any words they speak.

River seems to just flow through life, as do her friends, Pete (J. Brian) and Sharky (Rivera Reese).

What little plot “Sunspot” has focuses on River trying to find the jewelry that Nona (Ellen Boscov), with whom she lives, says has gone missing.

But that is simply a periphery issue.

“Sunspot” is well written, only faltering when it veers into dialogue that sounds pretentious and profundities that seem banal.

When it focuses on River, though, the movie feels real. Montoya’s performance is reserved, but interesting.

Mihok appears sure of himself and what he wants his movie to say.

It is an interesting first feature that showcases a filmmaker with potential.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

SUNSPOT
2½ stars out of 4
Not rated, language