That Evening Sun Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An old guy skips his retirement home to squat on his own farm, only to find his hated rival living there thanks to his son, leading to a stubborn contest of ‘who can be the most Southernly difficult’ involving dogs, hoses, and questionable arson.

🍿 That Evening Sun: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Elderly Farmer’s Return Home

Abner Meecham, an octogenarian placed in a nursing home by his lawyer son, Paul, finds the life there unbearable. Feeling forgotten and determined to spend his final days on his own terms, Abner escapes the facility. His goal is to return to the familiar comfort of his family farm, where he can die on his own land. Upon arriving at his longtime home, Abner is met with an unwelcome surprise. He discovers that his son has leased the farm to Lonzo Choat, a man Abner has known and disliked for years. Lonzo now lives on the property with his wife, Ludie, and teenage daughter, Pamela.

Establishing the Standoff

Despite Lonzo’s refusal to leave and the legal lease in place, Abner is equally stubborn and refuses to abandon his land. He takes up residence in an old tenant shack on the property, setting the stage for a tense standoff. Both men feel justified in their claims to the farm, leading to a volatile dispute. The conflict highlights the deep-seated animosity between Abner and Lonzo, fueled by past history and differing perspectives. Abner, betrayed by his son and haunted by memories of his deceased wife, sees the fight for the farm as a battle to reclaim his life and dignity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Abner Meecham (Hal Holbrook): The determined aging farmer fighting to reclaim his homestead from his son’s tenant.
• Lonzo Choat (Ray McKinnon): The antagonistic tenant and old nemesis who occupies Abner’s farm.
• Paul Meecham (Walton Goggins): Abner’s lawyer son who leased the family farm to Lonzo Choat, sparking the central conflict.
• Ludie Choat (Carrie Preston): Lonzo’s wife, caught in the volatile situation between her husband and Abner.
• Pamela Choat (Mia Wasikowska): Lonzo’s teenage daughter who forms an uneasy, albeit brief, connection with Abner.
• Thurl Chessor (Barry Corbin): Abner’s long-time neighbor and friend who provides quiet support and perspective.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abner Meecham: “Folks in hell will be eating Eskimo Pies before Lonzo Choat hauls me anywhere.” – A defiant declaration made when Abner refuses to be moved from his property by Lonzo Choat.
• Abner Meecham: “I worked too hard. And too long. I ain’t goin’ down without a fight.” – Part of the film’s tagline, summarizing Abner’s stubborn resolve to stay on his land despite opposition.
• Lonzo Choat: “People just can’t understand that a guy can change.” – Lonzo expresses his frustration and feeling of being misunderstood to his wife, reflecting his difficult past and struggle to improve.
• Abner Meecham: “I have visions of your mother.” – Abner shares with his neighbor Thurl that he sees his deceased wife.
• Thurl Chessor: “She listens mostly.” – Thurl responds to Abner’s statement about seeing his wife, offering a simple, poignant observation about her presence in Abner’s memories.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $500,000
• Domestic Gross: $281,350
• Worldwide Gross: $281,350

💥 That Evening Sun Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘That Evening Sun’ really got to me. Watching Hal Holbrook as Abner was just incredible; you feel every ounce of his stubbornness and heartbreak. There’s this one scene where he’s just sitting there, remembering his wife, and it hits you right in the gut. I loved how the movie didn’t make anyone totally good or bad. Even the guy trying to take his farm, Lonzo, had moments where you almost felt for him, even though he was terrible. The setting felt so real, like you could smell the dirt and heat. It’s not a feel-good movie, and the ending is definitely… well, it’s not neat and tidy. But it felt authentic to the messiness of life and family. I was thinking about it for days.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in Southern Gothic themes”
  • “Admirers of Hal Holbrook’s work”
  • “Enthusiasts of independent cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate nuanced portrayals of family conflict and aging”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Raunchy language”
  • “Scene of domestic abuse”
  • “Some minor adult content”

Professional Reviews

• Film Weekly: “”That Evening Sun” delivers a powerful character study anchored by a magnificent Hal Holbrook. His portrayal of the defiant Abner Meecham is nuanced and deeply moving. While the plot leans into intense Southern gothic conflict, the film excels in its quiet moments and atmospheric setting, creating a memorable and authentic viewing experience. It’s a true gem of independent cinema.
• The Indie Spotlight: “Scott Teems’ direction beautifully captures the decay and stark beauty of rural Tennessee. The cast, including strong support from Ray McKinnon and Mia Wasikowska, brings depth to complex characters. Although the narrative sometimes feels unbalanced, Holbrook carries the film with a performance that is both raw and refined, making the battle for the farm feel intensely personal.
• Cinema Circuit: “This film is an actor’s showcase. Hal Holbrook is simply transcendent as Abner, navigating stubborn pride and regret. The supporting cast, particularly Ray McKinnon’s layered villain, provides compelling tension. Despite some questions about plot plausibility, the film’s emotional honesty and rich atmosphere make it a gripping drama that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

Hal Holbrook’s performance is universally praised as a career highlight.: Viewers were captivated by the raw, authentic portrayal of elderly pride and resentment, appreciating the film’s deep character studies and atmospheric Southern setting.

The tense conflict between Abner and Lonzo kept audiences gripped.: Many found the film’s portrayal of family conflict, betrayal, and the struggle for independence deeply moving and relatable, despite the intense situations.

The film’s realistic portrayal of rural life and its people resonated with many.: The nuanced characters, rich dialogue, and deliberate pacing allowed the audience to become fully immersed in the story and its emotional core.

Overall Consensus: A critically acclaimed independent drama featuring a career-defining performance by Hal Holbrook, praised for its authentic characters, tense atmosphere, and powerful exploration of family, pride, and aging, though some found the plot’s progression challenging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film marks the final film appearance of beloved actress Dixie Carter, who played Abner Meecham’s deceased wife, Ellen.”
• “The movie is based on the short story ‘I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down’ by William Gay, with the title itself being a line from a Jimmie Rodgers blues song.”
• “The old tenant shack used in the film was originally located elsewhere on the farm property and was carefully disassembled and rebuilt closer to the main house for filming purposes.”
• “Actor Walton Goggins, who plays Abner’s son Paul, also served as a co-producer on the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch That Evening Sun?

Ready to watch “That Evening Sun”? This acclaimed drama is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred service for current availability and pricing to enjoy Hal Holbrook’s powerful final leading role from the comfort of your home.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed That Evening Sun, you might like these similar films:

• Gran Torino (2008): Features a stubborn, aging protagonist fiercely defending his home and way of life against unwelcome outsiders, similar to Abner’s struggle.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): A gritty, character-driven Southern Gothic drama set in a similar rural landscape, exploring themes of family, property, and survival against the odds.
• Nebraska (2013): Focuses on an aging, flawed protagonist on a journey related to money and family, capturing the complexities of parent-child relationships and small-town life with a similar melancholy tone.
• Frozen River (2008): An independent drama from the same era focusing on a female protagonist struggling against poverty and difficult circumstances in a stark rural setting, highlighting resilience and moral ambiguity.
• Minari (2020): A more recent film about a family trying to make a new life on a farm, exploring themes of land, legacy, intergenerational conflict, and the struggle to hold onto a dream.

🛒 That Evening Sun Related Products

• I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down: Collected Stories: The original collection of short stories by William Gay that inspired the film. Dive deeper into the authentic Southern voices and settings that shaped the movie.
• That Evening Sun Blu-ray/DVD: Own a physical copy of the movie, perhaps a special edition with bonus features exploring the making of the film, interviews with Hal Holbrook, or a look at the stunning Tennessee filming locations.
• Music Inspired by That Evening Sun: Jimmie Rodgers & Drive-By Truckers: A collection featuring the classic blues of Jimmie Rodgers (whose song is referenced) and the Southern rock/country sounds of Drive-By Truckers, who performed a version for the film.
• Southern Gothic Literature Collection: An anthology or collection of works by renowned Southern Gothic authors like William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, or Eudora Welty, exploring similar themes of family, decay, and the grotesque.

🎧 Soundtrack

That Evening Sun features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Blue Yodel #3” – performed by Drive-By Truckers
• “Score” – performed by Michael Penn

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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