Daniel Bae (Charles Melton) is a romantic, and Natasha Kingsley (Yara Shahidi) is a pragmatist. The young students meet by chance in New York City as both are struggling with family pressures. Daniel is being pushed into a medical career by his parents, and Natasha is about to be deported to Jamaica with hers. The Sun Is Also a Star is the story of how they inspire each other after crossing paths quite impossibly in a city of 8 million souls.
Directed by Ry Russo-Young and based on the novel by Nicola Yoon, the film takes place across 24 hours in the bustling metropolis. Daniel wants Natasha to believe that romance can be instantaneous and beautiful, but her skepticism keeps her emotions at bay. Eventually, she realizes that leaving things to chance doesn’t have to be scary.
The movie takes an interesting look at preconceived notions between members of different ethnicities. But as Daniel and Natasha prove, the city’s amazing diversity is an ideal backdrop for love between people of differing viewpoints. Though they’ve only known each other a matter of hours, the two meet each other’s families and envision a future together, all in one whirlwind day.
Should you see it? Yes, the story is sensitive and well written. – J.J.
Viewed at AMC Esquire 7
