That Evening Sun

That Evening Sun

Year: 2009

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Scott Teems

Drama

An elderly man, Abner Meecham, unexpectedly leaves his nursing home to return to his Tennessee farm. However, he finds his son has leased the land to the Choat family, leading to a tense confrontation with Lonzo Choat. The stubborn octogenarian and the determined Lonzo clash in a battle of wills, exploring themes of pride, loyalty, and the decline of traditional values in the American South.

That Evening Sun (2009) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the rolling hills of rural Tennessee, an aging farmer named Abner Meecham has spent a lifetime coaxing life from stubborn soil. The land, with its weather‑worn barns and endless sky, feels less like property and more like an extension of his own identity. As his body grows frail, the world around him shifts: modern conveniences and distant relatives replace the familiar cadence of sunrise and harvest. The film opens with a quiet, lingering sense of place, inviting viewers to taste the dust, hear the creak of wooden fences, and feel the weight of memories that cling to every furrow.

When Abner learns that his own son, Paul, has signed a lease for the farm to an old, equally steadfast family, the tranquil rhythm is disrupted. The new tenants, headed by the determined Lonzo Choat, embody a different generation’s claim on the same stubborn earth. Their arrival sets the stage for a subtle yet palpable clash of wills—two men bound by the same soil but divided by pride, loyalty, and the inevitable erosion of long‑held traditions. Their interactions are charged with quiet tension, each gesture hinting at deeper histories and unspoken grievances that echo through the fields.

The tone of the story is reflective and unflinching, balancing the stark beauty of the Southern landscape with the intimate drama of aging and resistance. It explores how a stubborn octogenarian confronts the modern world without surrendering his sense of self, and how the Choat family’s resolve meets the same stubbornness from a different angle. Within this richly textured world, the audience is drawn into an unfolding meditation on honor, family, and the quiet battles fought on the outskirts of change, leaving the outcome as an open horizon waiting to be discovered.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 08:43

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about defiant last stands like That Evening Sun

Characters who refuse to go quietly, fighting for what they believe is rightfully theirs.Find more movies like That Evening Sun, featuring stubborn protagonists who make a defiant final stand. These films explore the quiet drama of individuals clinging to their pride, property, or principles against a changing world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist, typically set in their ways, who faces an external threat to their status quo. Instead of acquiescing, they engage in a battle of wills. The story is a character study of stubbornness, often leading to a bittersweet or tragic resolution where the fight itself becomes a testament to their spirit.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their central character archetype—the unyielding individual—and the emotional journey of a principled, often lonely, defiance. They share a melancholic tone and a focus on the psychological weight of standing one's ground.

Slow burn rural dramas with a melancholic tone like That Evening Sun

Atmospheric stories where the land itself echoes with loss and fading traditions.If you liked the atmospheric and melancholic feel of That Evening Sun, explore these similar slow-paced dramas. These movies capture the mood of rural life, often dealing with themes of homecoming, loss, and the quiet tension of generational shifts.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread unfold slowly, prioritizing atmosphere and mood over complex plotting. They often involve a character returning to or clinging to a rural home, leading to conflicts that explore the tension between old ways and new realities. The emotional journey is one of reflection and often a bittersweet acceptance of change.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific vibe: a slow, melancholic pace, an atmospheric rural setting, and a thematic focus on loss, tradition, and the quiet drama of everyday life. The cohesive viewing experience is one of somber reflection and gentle tension.

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That Evening Sun Summary

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That Evening Sun Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in That Evening Sun

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Characters, Settings & Themes in That Evening Sun

More About That Evening Sun

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