Coastlines

For those who enjoyed Ruby in Paradise and Ulee's Gold, the first two entries in what writer-director Victor Nunez calls his "Panhandle Trilogy," Coastlines is a flawed but fascinating study of simmering tensions at the fringes of the American dream along Florida's gulf coast. In this somewhat familiar love-triangle melodrama, fresh out of prison Sonny (Timothy Olyphant, from HBO's Deadwood) is looking to go straight in a world that won't let him. Sonny took a three-year rap for his role in a drug operation, and his former partners—Fred (William Forsythe) and Fred's seething nephew Eddie (Josh Lucas)—are unwilling to produce the $200,000 that they owe him. Things heat up: after Sonny's dad (Scott Wilson) becomes an early casualty, Sonny plots revenge, and local sheriff Dave Lockhart (Josh Brolin) suddenly has a real mess on his hands. Sonny and Dave are pals from way back; in fact, Dave's wife Ann (Sarah Wynter) might've married Sonny if Dave hadn't proposed first. Nunez pays admirable attention to character details, and Coastlines serves as a terrific showcase for a talented cast—unfortunately, however, Nunez violates film noir tradition with an upbeat ending that just doesn't wash. A strong optional purchase. (J. Shannon)