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James Franco, Brenda Blethyn, Mena Suvari, Harry Dean Stanton, Brenda Vaccaro ... see more see more... , Scott Caan , Seymour Cassel , Nicolas Cage , Josie Davis , Cary Wilmot Alden , Willie Metcalf

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 ... read more read more...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. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

Flixster Users

40% liked it

5,532 ratings

Critics

23% liked it

26 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Nicolas Cage

Release Date: October 26, 2002

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

Stats: 184 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (184)

  • michaelcorleone
    January 19, 2011
    michaelcorleone
    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.
  • SunilJawahir
    February 17, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    I hated this movie. I wasn't interested in anything that happened.
  • Addatada
    February 5, 2008
    Addatada
    Love james, and this movie was sooo good. Not a movie for younger people(My mom doesnt know i saw it. AHA) but its really good. and james was hot,and his acting was like BAM!
  • chlorow7
    October 2, 2007
    chlorow7
    This movie is so wierd but good! Very interesting storyline. Nicolas Cage directing is subperb! James Franco played Sonny to the T.
  • annolav
    September 23, 2007
    annolav
    Beats you over the head a little with the theme, but excellent performances. Make-up finally covered those dark circles under Franco's eyes.
  • Twidlebug
    June 21, 2007
    Twidlebug
    I don't really know what to say about this movie...kind of strange. I only watced it becasue I like Nicolas Cage and James Franco.

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Critic Reviews

Jan Stuart
December 27, 2002
Jan Stuart, Newsday

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

Lou Lumenick
December 27, 2002
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

An instant candidate for worst movie of the year.

A.O. Scott
December 26, 2002
A.O. Scott, New York Times

Earnest and tentative even when it aims to shock. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
December 26, 2002
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

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. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
December 25, 2002
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Amid the cliché and foreshadowing, Cage manages a degree of casual realism ... that is routinely dynamited by Blethyn. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
December 23, 2002
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

The story is bogus and its characters tissue-thin.

Rex Reed
December 19, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

As the sulking, moody male hustler in the title role, [Franco] has all of Dean's mannerisms and self-indulgence, but none of his sweetness and vulnerability.

Lisa Nesselson
September 4, 2002
Lisa Nesselson, Variety

Cage makes an unusual but pleasantly haunting debut behind the camera. Full Review

Cole Smithey
February 20, 2006
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

This overlooked drama by Nic Cage packs an emotional wallop.

Christopher Null
March 7, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Back to the housewives with ya, and now that Cage has the vanity project out of his system, he can go back to making more movies with Spike Jonze. Full Review

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Sonny Trivia

  • What is the cover name Sonny Crockett uses in 'Miami Vice'?  Answer »
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  • Who played Don Corleone's eldest son Santino 'Sonny' Corleone, in the 1972 movie The Godfather?  Answer »
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