Midnight Sun: A Touching, If Manipulative, Tale of Love and Loss
A touching and heartfelt drama, albeit occasionally manipulative, about a young woman determined to spend her final days in harmony and happiness with her loved ones.
Katie Price has been confined to her home since childhood due to a rare genetic condition that prevents her from being exposed to sunlight; ultraviolet rays damage her skin. Her companions are her father, her childhood best friend Morgan, and her guitar, whose melodies seem destined to be heard only by her closest circle of family and friends. On her eighteenth birthday, and upon graduating from homeschooling, Katie receives permission from her father for a short evening stroll. This walk leads to a chance encounter with the charming Charlie. Their relationship blossoms through subsequent evening dates, but one night, losing track of time, Katie misses the sunrise and finds herself defenseless against the scorching sun…
The Hollywood film “Midnight Sun” is a remake of the eponymous 2006 Japanese drama. Before the American version, Japan had already produced a television series, a manga, and a remake of the original film by director Norihiro Koizumi.
The Spectrum of Sentimentality
Viewers’ reactions to tear-jerking melodramas vary widely. Some believe that squeezing tears with prolonged scenes of farewells between loved ones and the terminally ill is a cheap form of manipulation. Others, conversely, believe that in our age of cynicism and indifference, any means are justified in the fight against the hardening of human hearts. Of course, both opinions have a right to exist, and it would be foolish to deny the popularity of such films. Experiencing a touch of sadness in the cinema can sometimes be as enjoyable as the thrill of grand special effects. The key is that films like “Midnight Sun” must remain art, not just a banal collection of clichés, to truly resonate with audiences.
The filmmakers took some liberties with the symptoms of the disease afflicting the protagonist. In reality, xeroderma pigmentosum is accompanied by far more severe complications than those depicted on screen.
Familiar Themes, Fresh Perspectives
Less sentimental viewers might find “Midnight Sun” derivative, but this shouldn’t deter those seeking strong emotions. While it echoes themes from “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Me Before You,” the focus is on how such stories become relevant and even necessary for someone at a particular moment in their life, rather than just a way to pass the time. Unfortunately, we all face losses, grief, and separations. Sometimes, film characters can teach us to cope with pain or accept fate better than our closest loved ones.
From this perspective, “Midnight Sun” is interesting not so much for its main plotline, which is fairly straightforward – a girl who has lived as a recluse her entire life finds a brief period of true happiness outside her “cage,” burning brightly but briefly. The relationship between father and daughter is far more compelling, revealing a truly powerful tragedy. The father knows he will outlive his daughter, and she is aware that someone will need to care for him after she’s gone. This heavy burden of responsibility makes the characters more alive and human. It’s not just a contrived set of obvious conflicts and connections; it’s a full-fledged drama.
Youthful Love and Heartbreak
The “youth” aspect of the film is also interesting. Yes, the relationship between Katie and Charlie is relatively simple – misunderstandings and the fear of ruining their first warm feelings lead to a predictable conflict and even tragedy. But the genre demands a certain harshness towards the characters, and the creators of “Midnight Sun” do everything to make you fall in love with them in the first half of the film, so you’ll cry in the second half as you watch the departure of one person leave an unfillable void in the lives of their loved ones. There will be many tears, often triggered by very direct methods, but they are “right” tears, not shameful ones.
Stellar Performances
Special recognition should be given to the actors, some of whom pleasantly surprised, as the leading trio initially seemed miscast. Bella Thorne, for example, hasn’t had much luck with dramas, often showcasing her talents in comedies and horrors. But “Midnight Sun” turned out to be her perfect fit; her portrayal of Katie is incredibly touching. If you haven’t seen Arnold Schwarzenegger’s eldest son on screen before, you might be surprised – Patrick inherited the best from his mother and bears little resemblance to the clumsy bodybuilder that Arnie was when he arrived in Hollywood. Finally, Rob Riggle, usually irritating with his lowbrow jokes in “toilet” comedies, delivers such a performance that you want to applaud. It’s not an “Oscar” performance, but it’s a good, solid effort from all three leading actors.
Final Thoughts
“Midnight Sun” isn’t a film to recommend to everyone, especially modern viewers seeking pure entertainment in cinemas. But at a certain moment, in times of sadness or when trying to cope with bad news, a film like this can offer a shoulder to cry on or at least hand you a pack of tissues. Crying can be beneficial, and it’s better to do it in front of a screen.