Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Cooktopi The acting in this movie is really good.

Caryl It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

jakasper1 I worked as a volunteer at the L.A. Film Festival the year that "Things Behind the Sun" was its centerpiece, its main film of the festival. I wish I had known more about it at the time, because I would have loved to have seen it in person and talked to Allison Anders, its director.What a moving and gripping film. What happens in childhood, both good and bad, tends to stick with us throughout the rest of our lives. How we deal with trauma in our early years can scar and stunt us forever. That's what this film is about. It was horrifying to learn that the director, Allison, Anders, experienced rape at a young age as the girl in the film did, in Florida, in the exact same house that is used in the film. Kim Dickens, Gabriel Mann, Don Cheadle, Eric Stoltz, Elizabeth Pena and Rosanna Arquette all give stellar performances in this little-scene film. The music by Sonic Youth is a haunting addition to the movie.This was an independently made film, which should have won tons of awards and gotten more publicity. I have caught it on cable and can now purchase it on DVD. I highly recommend this film, but it's not for the squeamish or easily offended. Years later, I still remember how great a movie it is.

trouvere_2000 I ran into this movie by accident flipping channels late-night mainly because I live in Cocoa Beach and I instantly recognized the backdrop area of the film.The fabulous acting drew me in instantly - my reaction to the film was a huge "WOW". The movie is a powerful drama, not only about rape and the psychological and physical damages it causes, but the fact that doing nothing about it can be morally construed in some situations to be just as much of a crime. While it's been said that this is a "simple" film as far as the plot line may be concerned, the characters and their emotions are very complex, with top-notch acting performances capturing every nuance.This movie is very difficult to watch at certain points for anyone who has the slightest degree of empathy, for it portrays some very intense traumatic situations in an extremely realistic and non "Hollywood-ized" manner. The way the movie is shot and directed, it makes you feel like you are standing right there in person as each scene takes place, and that "nearness" will be very powerful with your emotions as you watch the film.I highly recommend this movie if you like a strong drama that really pulls your heart and emotions into the characters and story. This is a very "real" film that will definitely affect you. It's definitely not "fluff"; it's not a comedy or a love story; but it is a very good movie that is well worth watching.

Lynne Bronstein I had hoped this would be good but it took my breath away. It also brought tears to my eyes. I think this movie should be seen by everyone but especially by those involved in rape trials. Someone else on this board questioned whether a boy could be forced into a a rape as shown in the movie. We don't know the answer to that because men's magazines don't run articles about how men feel about rape and masculine conditioning and bonding. And our prison system doesn't cure rapists, it just teaches all the inmates how to rape or be raped. "Things Behind The Sun" is suggesting that we are way behind in examining the victimization of men by the behavior patterns they are taught to accept as "normal." And for those who think women and girls should simply not "get into situations" where rape can occur, the movie shows how difficult it is to avoid such situations-because how can we always know when someone will exploit the situation? I applaud this movie for taking risks and for raising questions about human behavior. And I also applaud the performances and the writing.

Nedzel This is an excellent film about a very difficult subject. All the performances were great as was the script. I thought the scenes of the rapes were very well handled. I give full credit to all those associated with this film. Too bad Don Cheadle lost to Steve Buscemi at the Independent Spirit Awards!