Sonny

Critics Consensus

Sonny is sunk by debuting director Nicolas Cage's evident inability to locate the heart of his movie's story - or properly modulate his cast's performances.

23%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 26

42%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,740

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Movie Info

Film superstar Nicolas Cage's directing debut, Sonny follows a very unconventional family as they struggle to overcome personal and financial adversity. Young Sonny (James Franco) returns home to New Orleans from Army service to find his mother Jewel (Brenda Blethyn), a prostitute, in dire financial straits due to her marketability decreasing exponentially as her age increases. Jewel takes heart at her son's return, however, as she had raised him to be a male prostitute and his mid-'20s vitality should be able to provide a much-needed boost to her family's income -- which until now has primarily been based on Jewel's boyfriend Henry's (Harry Dean Stanton) small-time thievery, as well as the income generated by Jewel's new recruit, Carol (Mena Suvari). Sonny initially scoffs at the thought, having been offered a chance for a legitimate job from his Army buddy (Scott Caan), but when that possibility falls through, Sonny finds he has no choice but to work for his mother.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, sex)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Television
  • Directed By:
    Nicolas Cage
  • Written By:
    John Carlen
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Cast

James Franco
as Sonny Phillips
Brenda Blethyn
as Jewel Phillips
Harry Dean Stanton
as Henry Wade
Mena Suvari
as Carol
Josie Davis
as Gretchen
Nicolas Cage
as Acid Yellow
Scott Caan
as Jesse
Seymour Cassel
as Albert
Brenda Vaccaro
as Meg
Willie Metcalf
as Cal
Janet Shea
as Wealthy Woman
Cary Wilmot Alden
as Catherine
Graham Timbes
as Troy
Wallace Merck
as Scott
Doug Barden
as Maitre D'
Katherine Randolph
as Dagmar
Bernard Hocke
as Clerk
David E. Jensen
as Mr. Penn
Karen Kaia Livers
as Mattie
Don Yesso
as Waiters
Thomas Williams
as Waiters
Kriste Andrea Tujague
as Joanie
Mark W. Davidson
as Acid Yellow's Thug
Marc Coppola
as Jimmy at Mattie's
Norm Golightly
as Man at Party With Tie
Houston Parker
as Lilly White
Shelby Rachel Griggs
as Girl
Sarah Allison Griggs
as Girl
Natasha Mince
as Hooker
Delisha Price
as Mattie's Girl
Monica L. Monica
as Party Lady
Robert Burton
as Man at Door
Michael James Dukes
as Boy
Kyle Hand
as Boy
Ben Jones
as Boy
Andrew Miller
as Boy
Nick Paoletti
as Boy
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Critic Reviews for Sonny

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (10)

  • Actors generally make good actor's directors, but Sonny is a mixed bag in that department.

    Dec 27, 2002 | Rating: 2/4

    Jan Stuart

    Newsday
    Top Critic

  • Nicolas Cage isn't the first actor to lead a group of talented friends astray, and this movie won't create a ruffle in what is already an erratic career.

    Dec 27, 2002 | Full Review…

    Michael Agger

    Slate
    Top Critic

  • An instant candidate for worst movie of the year.

    Dec 27, 2002 | Rating: 1/4

    Lou Lumenick

    New York Post
    Top Critic

  • Earnest and tentative even when it aims to shock.

    Dec 26, 2002 | Rating: 2/5

    A.O. Scott

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • It is as uncompromising as it is nonjudgmental, and makes clear that a prostitute can be as lonely and needy as any of the clients.

    Dec 26, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Kevin Thomas

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Preposterous and tedious, Sonny is spiked with unintentional laughter that, unfortunately, occurs too infrequently to make the film even a guilty pleasure.

    Dec 25, 2002

    Ernest Hardy

    L.A. Weekly
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (26)

Audience Reviews for Sonny

  • Nov 05, 2011
    I like Nicolas Cage, honestly...for the most part. So, when I heard he directed a film starring James Franco as a male hustler who tries to get out of the life, I figured, "hey, this might be a good, gritty, indie drama". Well, it's not. It's sometimes sleazy and gritty, but it feels undercooked and slightly polished. It's also really draggy asnd boring, which I didn't think was possible. Franco does what he can, and he's okay, but he can't quite save it. Stanton also helps elevate things, but he could have been used a lot more...and better. Suvari was okay, probably the best out of all the ladies here, but even then she's not given much to work with, and her performance isn't all that great. She does have a bit of chemistry with Franco though, and she's nice to look at. Overall, this is a plodding, dull mess. It's also about 20 minutes too long. Avoid.
    Chris W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 19, 2011
    Uneven, seemingly indecisive direction from Nicolas Cage leads this potentially affecting film astray. As it stands, it is mildly interesting. The best aspect of it is James Franco, who gives solid evidence of his considerable abilities as an actor.
    Mike T Super Reviewer
  • Dec 19, 2007
    It's no secret that Nicolas Cage is incapable of saying no to any script - except he decided to direct this one. Doesn't make it any better.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Sep 11, 2007
    I hated this movie. I wasn't interested in anything that happened.
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
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