Suncoast: Is This Drama Any Good?

Suncoast (2024) is a coming-of-age tale of a teenage girl, Doris (Nico Parker), in this movie. Also, please note that the movie title “Suncoast” is the name of the hospice (or an executional Chamber as per Paul) in the film. So, Suncoast is a medical centre for individuals in the final stages of their illness.

This hospice focuses on managing pain and providing emotional assistance to both the patient and their loved ones, usually avoiding extreme interventions to extend life. No doubt, it shares a sad and tragic story of a teenage girl, the protagonist named Doris. She strongly faces the disease, pain, grief, death, etc. in it.

A Poignant Coming-Of-Age Drama Of A Teenage Girl

Spoiler-Free Review: Suncoast (2024) Movie

The introduction

The layered story of this film deals with two distinct and contrasting lives of the young school-going teenage girl, Doris (Nico Parker). In both lives, she is carrying a heavy burden of grief and sadness on her slender shoulders. The first one is her personal life, wherein her only brother is suffering from an incurable cancer disease. His dreaded disease has adversely affected the lives of Doris and her single mother, Kristine (Laura Linney). The second is her public, wherein Doris is a fun-loving teenager who is discovering the joys of growing up surrounded by friends from school. The story is about how Doris deals with life.

But mostly there is love, and ultimately there is redemption. Laura Chinn (in this film, her character’s name is Doris) explores her trauma through anecdotes riddled with grit and humor, proving that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, it is possible to find success, love, and self-acceptance, zits and all.

Acne

Notably, Laura Chinn’s movie is based on her book titled “Acne: A Memoir”. In fact, it depicts a semi-autobiographical tale by the writer and director, Laura Chinn. Her moving tale really broke our hearts. No doubt, her maturity and resilience are worth emulating.

Unique Selling Point (USP) of the Film

As we mentioned earlier, we came here for Laura and Woody but Nico stole our hearts with her heart-rendering acting performance. We had seen Nico in the Last of Us (2023) series, in a small role. In this bitter-sweet film about human emotions, all three main characters Doris (Nico Parker), Kristine (Laura Linney) and Paul (Woody Harrelson) are dealing with the unbearable pain of grief and loss. The rest of the ensemble cast has done well too.

We loved its layered storyline

Laura Chinn, the writer and director, shares a personal real-life account in this narrative. It vividly portrays the semi-autobiographical tale of her brother Max Kenneth Chinn’s passing, alongside her mother’s understandable anger and distress. Her mother confronts the impending tragedy with unwavering determination towards her ailing sibling. So, Laura Chinn has shared an evocative movie about grief and loss. If we ignore certain goof-ups, this is a well-written and directed film. Especially the deep and funny conversation between Paul and Doris in the film.

We loved most of their short and meaningful interactions (including the Driving) in the film.

Paul: My wife was obsessed with them (Fish Tacos). She passed away.

Doris: I'm sorry.

Paul: Me too.

Doris: My Dad died. He had a heart attack, when I was three.

Paul: Christ, it ain't a competition. But if it was, you'd be winning.

All of us, humans, deal with pain and sadness in our unique ways. Some people like Kristine, become bitter and angry. While people like Paul process the loss differently, they become a philosopher and compassionate. Meanwhile, teenagers like Doris just do not understand the immense trauma associated with death and disease and death of the loved ones. Doris just wishes to forget her pain and live her life like a normal teenager, but can she?

The conclusion

The grief and loss can either tear you apart. Or can it bring people together? In the end, it depends on how some characters react to the given situation. We liked that both Kristine and Doris grow as humans in the film, as they deal with shared loss. We loved the satisfactory ending of the show. As all of them became understanding and grew closer. We loved this human drama about self-discovery and coming of age. Laura/Doris will certainly touch your heart and soul with their realistic tale. So, go ahead and watch it.

Rating: Suncoast (2024) Movie

Poster: Suncoast (2024) Movie

Key Details: Suncoast (2024) Movie

Trailer & Synopsis: Suncoast (2024) Movie

Inspired by writer and director Laura Chinn's real-life experience from the early 2000s, it follows a teenager, Doris (Nico Parker), living with her strong-willed mother, Kristine (Laura Linney), who must take her brother to live at a specialised facility. There, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with an eccentric activist, Paul (Woody Harrelson), amidst protests surrounding one of the most landmark medical cases of all time.

Also, check out the SUNCOAST | "Doris Come Here" Clip | Searchlight Pictures| YouTube.

Awards/Nominations won by the Movie

Poster, Featured & Other Images of the Suncoast (2024) Movie | Pics. Credit: Hulu, Disney+ & Searchlight Pictures.