Sunlight Jr. 2013

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Collyer paints a sobering and important picture of the way many of us live now. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: Be forewarned: The depression is inescapable. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: It's a sad, thoughtful film, and you leave it without much belief that things will get better for these characters - but you believe in them, which makes it even sadder. Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: Incandescent performances and an unerring grasp of milieu distinguish this latest feature from Sherrybaby helmer Laurie Collyer. Read more

Mike D'Angelo, AV Club: Only those viewers who assume that convenience-store clerks in their 40s enjoy lives of luxury and have limitless options will do much more than shrug in acknowledgement, feeling incredibly grateful not to be stuck in that rut. Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: This sensitively observed humanistic drama features deeply moving performances by Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: Sunlight Jr. is what is often described as a slice-of-life drama, but this one is more of a tiny sliver, and it doesn't leave you with much to chew on. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: Urine tests and evictions, drunken brawls and rare outbursts of tenderness and grace. Collyer takes it all in, with a clear eye and no judgment. Read more

Tomas Hachard, NPR: Collyer never looks down on her characters; instead, her films have the quality of a good Springsteen song. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Empathy for the all-too-real plight of the working poor drives this heavy but bold indie. Sadly, though, it falters under the weight of too much drama. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold. Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: A compelling portrayal of the grinding life of America's working poor, brought into sharp focus by intense lead performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: The one real takeaway here is not that things are tough all over, or that movie stars equate slumming with authenticity; it's that no actor should be asked to do a sexy dance to Crazy Town's "Butterfly." Ever. Read more

John Oursler, Village Voice: Collyer has a keen eye for underrepresented populations, but she'd be better served in the future to scale back on the overstatement. Read more