The Sun Never Sets is a messy and realistic portrayal of relationships and the complications that come with them. Written, edited, and directed by Joe Swanberg, the film follows Wendy (Dakota Fanning) as her life is upended when her boyfriend, Jack (Jake Johnson) — older, divorced, and with children — asks for space to reassess their relationship. During their time apart, Wendy reconnects with her ex, Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), sparking an emotionally charged love triangle that forces all three to confront the realities of love, timing, and personal growth.
Dakota Fanning was great as Wendy because Wendy was not perfect. Amidst all of the confusion of the love triangle, she makes some not-so-smart decisions. But even before Jack proposes the break, she does not have much of an identity outside of being Jack’s girlfriend. And although she is happy with Jack, they do not share the same desires. Wendy wants to get married; Jack has already been married. Wendy also wants to have kids; Jack has two. Jack doesn’t want to start over, but with Jack, Wendy has not gotten started. Wendy had grown content with the life she had with Jack despite having to compromise her hobbies and desires to make the relationship work. But if only one person is compromising in the relationship, compromises become sacrifices. Wendy was sacrificing her desire for the life she envisioned for herself to stay with Jack. That might seem romantic at first, but it is terribly unhealthy for a relationship. It is why he proposes taking space, so she can possibly discover a person who wants those same things as her. He could never have imagined she would reconnect with her ex.
Fanning also had great chemistry with both Johnson and Smith. It makes her confusion about choosing between the two much more believable. The film also did a great job of ensuring it never felt like there was a clear-cut choice between the two. Both men have their positives and negatives. Wendy was very happy with Jack, but she had to forget about the other things that would make her happy to keep that happiness in her relationship, something she does not need to do with Chuck. But Chuck is a bit of a mysterious guy, and not as forthcoming as Jack.
With Jack, their chemistry is felt the most in their banter. They can laugh at how ridiculous they sound or look while in the middle of having a serious conversation and even while they’re mad at each other. They both know each other very well. And Jack is willing to do things for her to see her happy. Johnson makes Jack very likeable, using his Nick Miller flair to get you to root for Wendy to choose him, despite how unhappy Wendy may be years down the line in that relationship. With Chuck, the chemistry is much more physical. But it makes sense, given that Wendy and Chuck are essentially reentering their honeymoon phase as they get to know the new versions of the people they last knew. Chuck enjoys the outdoors the way Wendy does, and he doesn’t shut down Wendy’s desires for marriage and children.
However, Wendy and Chuck’s past relationship should have been explored more, as it would have given their reconnection more depth and informed the audience more about the decisions both of them make throughout the film. It feels like we know much more about the functions of Wendy and Jack’s relationship compared to Wendy and Chuck. Even though we don’t know much about how Chuck behaved when he and Wendy were together, Smith does a terrific job of making you feel like Chuck has matured and is not the same person Wendy knew before. It makes you want to root for a second-chance love between Wendy and Chuck.
The other major theme of this movie is timing. Besides the relationship drama she’s in, she is trying to buy a boat that reminds her of her childhood. She has a window to buy the boat, but due to all of the romantic tension she’s experiencing, she feels the timing isn’t right. Timing is why Jack proposes a break. Wendy is in her 30s, and her friend’s pregnancy starts to push the idea that time is running out for her. But the timing of her break with Jack is what allows her and Chuck to give each other a second chance. Essentially, even if we don’t know it in the moment, the timing will always be right, and things happen when they do for a reason.
3.5 out of 5 stars
A love triangle where you truly feel the protagonist could choose either option is a rare thing, but Swanberg gets that right. As the viewer, you are just as confused as Wendy. It was also refreshing to see the messiness and complications of the story among adults rather than teens. Even the healthiest relationships between the most mature and communicative adults can be complicated and complex. The Sun Never Sets is a great example of that.
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