THE THREE WONDERFULLY SUBLIME DRAMAS OF VICTOR NUNEZ - RUBY'S PARADISE (1993) ULEE'S GOLD (1997) & COASTLINES (2002)

 

One of the greatest directors that no one ever heard of, Victor Nunez has carved his niche with deep character driven dramas usually based in South Florida, his homeland after Peru. An actor's director, his character's feelings are his arena and focal point. He's only made six films in four decades, three of which he wrote and directed and form a trilogy of his best work, all set in the Panhandle. For the types of film lovers that I would imagine visit this blog, all three should be a must-watch. 

Nunez also edited Ruby In Paradise, a near flawless indie about a young woman (Ashley Judd) trying to find herself after moving from Tennessee to Florida and taking a job at a big gift store. She meets two men - the store owner's son, a dickhead, and a very responsible but overly conservative fisherman played beautifully by Todd Field who would go on to make the impeccable movies In The Bedroom and Little Children, only to seemingly vanish into obscurity. Judd is perfect, it's really hard not to like this movie. Appropriately, it won Grand Jury for drama at Sundance. Streaming free on Tubi. 4.0 stars/5

In 1997 Nunez got what is probably the best performance of Peter Fonda's career as a beekeeper suddenly confronted with a family problem involving his son who is in prison and his two accomplices still on the outside and believing there's hidden loot still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, Ulee is also tasked with taking care of the son's drugged-out wife. A slow burner of a drama but just what Nunez is so great at and another Sundance winner. Streams on Amazon Prime.  3.5 stars/5

Josh Brolin, Timothy Olyphant and Sarah Wynter, holy crap. 2002's Coastlines also made it to Sundance but didn't fare nearly as well and in fact didn't find a distributor until four years later. Shame! Much more obscure but just as good as the other two, I have turned many a movie lover onto this one and hope that you'll check it out, currently streaming free on Plex. Olyphant plays an ex-con who comes home and tries to reestablish friendship with his best friend, a cop (Brolin) and his wife (Wynter.) At the same time he's being courted by his ex drug dealer to get back in the biz (William Forsythe, holy crap again) and starting to see a new love (the always enjoyable Angela Bettis) Did I say I love this cast? Also has the best cinematography of the three. Highly recommend. 3.0 stars/5

Coastlines Trailer (2002)

Trailer for Coastlines. Sonny Mann, (Timothy Olyphant), an ex-con returning home from prison, creates a new dynamic for both friends and enemies with his arrival. The local power...