Movie review: 'That Evening Sun'

Here's another new film that follows an atypical cinematic hero: the cranky old white dude. With "Gran Torino," "Goodbye Solo," "Up" and now "That Evening Sun," starring Hal Holbrook (Oscar nominated for "Into the Wild" two years ago), filmmakers have found a new appreciation for the elderly, and the results have been relatively successful. "Sun," an adaptation of the William Gay short story "I Hate to See the Evening Sun Go Down," is about Abner Meecham (Holbrook), who leaves his retirement home to go back to his farmhouse and retire alone in peace. When he gets there, he discovers his son has leased the house to his old enemy, Lonzo Choat, a man Meecham feels is unworthy of his land. Instead of grabbing a rifle and growling "Get off my lawn," Meecham moves into the tenant house on the land, refusing to leave. A power struggle ensues between Meecham and Choat. The film is far darker, more complex and balanced than expected. The audience understands both sides here. Both are wrong and right in certain ways, making for an interesting morality play that exists in those mucky gray areas. The cast is solid all around, especially Holbrook. He's fearless in tackling a complicated, three-dimensional, aged character who is both sympathetic and unlikable. What's most fascinating to ponder after the film is whether or not Meecham is the villain or the hero of the piece. (Rated PG-13.)