The Sun is Also a Star 2019

     This film is based on a New York Times bestselling book by Nicola Yoon.  Natasha believes in science and facts, she doesn’t believe in fate or destiny or dreams!!  She isn’t the type to meet a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and fall in love??  Her family is just 12 hours away from being deported!!  This can’t be happening to a studious and serious girl like Natasha??  Daniel has always been a the good son, good student, living up to high expectations and never a poet or a dreamer.  But, when he sees Natasha, he forgets everything that he is??  He thinks that fate has something extraordinary in store for both of them!!  There are a million futures before them, which one will come true??

     There is actually some substance in this film beneath the fluff!!  The ending is perfect and almost daring.  But, there is a natural stopping point that feels right but it keeps on going?  This can bring on the giggles!!  It is a coming of age love story.  There is a fistfight between brothers ending with visible bruises.  A car almost hits a cyclist and someone else.  There are historical, cultural and scientific details plus falling in love and following your dreams.  There is a also clear theme of empathy. 

100 min, Drama directed by Ry Russo-Young with Year Shahidi, Anais Lee, Charles Melton, John Leguizamo, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Miriam A. Hyman, Jordan Williams, Jake Choi, Kenos Sim, Cathy Shim, Shamika Cotton, Camrus Johnson, Hill Harper, Harry Chambarry, Tash Neal.

Note:  Imdb 5.8 out of 10 with 3,792 views, Rotten Tomatoes 51% with 98 critics 62% with 782 user ratings, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, RollingStone 3* out of 5* David Fear, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 1,054 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen,age 13+, 4* positive, 4* role models, 2* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 2* consumerism. Goodreads gives the book 4.08* out of 5* with 148,727 ratings and 20,921 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in New York City, New York.  Shahidi was the first choice for the role of Natasha by director Ry Russo-Young and the studio.  Charles Melton is half Korean and half British descent in real life.  The age difference between Yara (2000) and Charles 1991) is 9 years.  There are elements from the film Serendipity 2001 and near the end of both movies, the Caffe Reggio Original Cappuccino Shop is seen.  Loosely based on the life of Nicola Yoon and her husband.  But, neither faced immigration issues like those in the film.  The ending is different from the book.