Jake Johnson, Dakota Fanning, and Cory Michael Smith are caught up in a complicated love triangle in The Sun Never Sets. The romantic drama is the first film in seven years from stalwart indie director Joe Swanberg.
Set in Alaska, where it was also filmed, The Sun Never Sets centers on Wendy (Fanning) and Jack (Johnson), a couple figuring out what they truly want from their relationship. Deciding to take a short break, Wendy’s life is thrown into chaos when she is reunited with her ex, Chuck, played by Smith.
The film is written and directed by Swanberg, who drew on deeply personal experiences from his own life. Johnson’s character is loosely based on Swanberg, as the actor revealed in a recent People interview.
Swanberg and Johnson have worked together previously on Drinking Buddies, Digging for Fire, and 2017’s Win It All, the director’s most recent film. For me, I always link these guys, and find they do their best work with one another.
Also in the cast are Debby Ryan, Anna Konkle, Karley Sciortino, and Lamorne Morris who reunites with Smith following Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night.
Synopsis: Wendy (Dakota Fanning) believes she’s perfectly happy in her relationship, until her older boyfriend, Jack (Jake Johnson), who is divorced with children, insists they take a break to make sure she’s truly okay giving up on the idea of marriage and babies. During this time, Wendy unexpectedly runs into her ex, Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), who reignites her carefree and spontaneous side, and suddenly seems to want a family. The three of them navigate a chaotic, confusing, and often funny relationship triangle, reminding us that the pursuit of love is beautiful and messy all at once. The film was shot on 35mm on location in Alaska.
IFC will release The Sun Never Sets exclusively in Chicago on August 28th. It opens everywhere on September 4th.
