Sunshine State

Sunshine State is a drama set along the coast of northern Florida, where a small beachfront community faces pressure from developers who want to turn the area into a large resort. The residents are divided: some are willing to sell their land and take the money, while others want to hold on to what they have and to the lives they have built there. Into this tense situation comes Desiree Perry, a woman returning to her hometown after a long absence with her new husband, and she quickly becomes caught up in the conflicts involving her family, the local businesses and the plans for the region. Among the people whose lives are shaken by the changes are Marly Temple, who has inherited property tied to the dispute, and the longtime residents who see their community being reshaped.

John Sayles wrote and directed the film, which followed his 1999 release Limbo and preceded Silver City in 2004. Maggie Renzi produced, and the large ensemble cast of 51 credited performers includes Angela Bassett, Edie Falco, Jane Alexander, Mary Alice, Bill Cobbs and Gordon Clapp.

Made for about 6 million dollars, the film earned roughly 3 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds a 6.8 rating from around 4,400 votes, while on TMDB it has a 6.4 from a much smaller number of votes. A critics' rating of 7.2 from 110 reviews places it above both audience scores.