West of Sunshine 2019
Directed by
Jason Raftopoulos
Made by
Uncork'd Entertainment
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of West of Sunshine (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Scruffy-haired and heavily tattooed, Jimmy is a courier tangled in a web of trouble, with a staggering A$15,000 debt to Banos, the menacing owner of a car repair shop where he once worked. Banos has issued a strict ultimatum: Jimmy must repay him by 5 o’clock that day or face severe repercussions. Meanwhile, Jimmy’s thoughts are consumed by the excitement surrounding a horse race at Ballarat.
In a rush, he picks up his mate Steve, another courier, but being late forces him into a precarious situation—he must also pick up his pre-teen son Alex. This father-son relationship is strained; Alex respects his father little and openly challenges his authority, complicating an already tense day. Adding to his troubles is Karen, his ex-wife, who incessantly nags him about his responsibilities.
Driving around in his cherished 1968 Ford Fairlane—a car once owned by his father who abandoned the family—Jimmy finally retrieves Alex, who reluctantly gets in the car. As they navigate their day, Jimmy’s responsibilities weigh heavily on him. Arriving late at the depot means he has to use the Fairlane for deliveries instead of a company vehicle, which results in Alex tagging along for an adventurous ride through various Melbourne businesses.
After completing the deliveries, the pair stop for lunch at a suburban hotel featuring TAB betting. Here, they meet up with Steve. Driven by desperation, Jimmy borrows a significant amount from him to place a bet on his horse, which miraculously wins. With newfound confidence, he calls Banos to share the good news but quickly succumbs to temptation, risking it all on another bet—resulting in a loss that leaves him in dire straits. In his panic, he turns to Steve for help, but discovering Steve has his own debts only intensifies his despair.
In a final stroke of desperation, Jimmy considers selling the Fairlane, valued at $35,000, but after a moment of reflection, he backs out before completing the deal, driving away with Alex.
Meanwhile, Steve reconnects with Mel, an old friend who operates a small bakery. With her assistance, he finds a way to make some cash by delivering suspicious packages, claiming to Alex that they are merely filled with vitamin C. However, the situation grows tense when Alex inadvertently opens one of the packages, about to put the contents in his mouth when Jimmy rushes back to intervene. This pivotal moment leads to a heartfelt exchange between father and son, helping them reconnect.
In the climactic confrontation with Banos, armed only with a few hundred dollars, Jimmy faces the consequences of his decisions. As Banos’s men beat him mercilessly, it appears all hope is lost, but an unexpected change of heart comes from Banos himself, who stops the assault. In a final act of surrender, Jimmy relinquishes the Fairlane to Banos and bicycles back to Karen’s house, with Alex joyously perched on the handlebars. As night falls, when asked by his mother how the day went, Alex exuberantly replies, “It was the best day ever.”
Timeline
Track the key events of West of Sunshine (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Jimmy's Debt
Jimmy, a courier with serious troubles, is heavily in debt, owing A$15,000 to Banos, the menacing owner of a car repair shop. Faced with an ultimatum, he has until 5 o'clock that day to repay or suffer severe consequences.
Rushing to Pick Up Alex
In a hurry to fulfill his obligations, Jimmy picks up his mate Steve, another courier. His day becomes increasingly complicated when he must also pick up his pre-teen son Alex, whose strained relationship with him complicates matters further.
The Strained Father-Son Relationship
As they drive around in Jimmy's cherished 1968 Ford Fairlane, tension mounts between him and Alex. The young boy openly challenges his father's authority, revealing the difficulties in their father-son dynamic amidst an already stressful day.
Arriving at the Depot
Due to his delays, they arrive late at the depot, compelling Jimmy to use the Fairlane for deliveries instead of the company's vehicle. This means Alex must accompany him on the deliveries, leading to an adventurous yet chaotic experience through various businesses in Melbourne.
Lunch at the Suburban Hotel
After completing his deliveries, Jimmy and Alex stop for lunch at a suburban hotel that features TAB betting. They meet Steve there, and in a moment of desperation, Jimmy borrows a significant amount of money from him to place a bet on a horse.
The Winning Bet
To Jimmy's astonishment, his bet on the horse wins, temporarily lifting his spirits and bringing him a sense of hope. He calls Banos excitedly to share the good news but quickly becomes tempted to gamble again, a decision that leads to disastrous consequences.
Risking It All Again
In a moment of rashness driven by adrenaline, Jimmy places another bet with his winnings, only to experience a devastating loss. This results in further despair, compelling him to seek help from Steve, who has his own financial troubles.
Considering Selling the Fairlane
With his financial situation deteriorating, Jimmy contemplates selling his beloved Fairlane, worth A$35,000, to settle his debts. However, after momentarily reflecting on the emotional significance of the car, he ultimately decides against the sale and drives away with Alex.
Steve's New Scheme
Meanwhile, Steve reconnects with Mel, an old friend who runs a bakery. Together, they devise a plan involving delivering suspicious packages, which Steve tells Alex contain vitamin C, adding a layer of secrecy to their actions.
A Critical Moment for Alex
Tension escalates when Alex accidentally opens one of the suspicious packages at a crucial moment, almost ingesting its questionable contents. Jimmy arrives just in time to intervene, sparking a heartfelt dialogue between him and Alex that facilitates their reconnection.
Confrontation with Banos
In a climactic showdown, Jimmy approaches Banos armed only with a few hundred dollars to repay his debt. As Banos's men viciously beat him, it seems all is lost, but unexpectedly, Banos intervenes and stops the assault.
Relinquishing the Fairlane
In a moment of surrender, Jimmy is forced to give up the Fairlane to Banos. He then bicycles back to Karen's house, with Alex joyously riding on the handlebars, symbolizing a bittersweet end to a chaotic day.
A Joyful Reflection
As night falls, Karen inquires about how Alex's day went. In a surprising twist, Alex exuberantly declares, 'It was the best day ever,' showcasing the newfound connection between him and his father despite the day's chaos.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring West of Sunshine (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Jimmy
Jimmy is a troubled courier with a massive debt looming over him. His scruffy appearance and tattoos reflect a life of struggle, and he oscillates between desperation and hope as he tries to connect with his son while managing overwhelming responsibilities.
Banos
Banos is the menacing owner of the car repair shop and the source of Jimmy's immense pressure. His intimidating presence embodies the danger that comes with Jimmy's debt, and his unexpected change of heart reveals layers to his character, juxtaposing menace with humanity.
Steve
Steve, Jimmy's friend and fellow courier, adds complexity to the narrative with his own struggles. He is loyal but also grappling with financial issues, reflecting the interconnectedness of their lives and the shared burden of responsibility they each face.
Alex
Alex is Jimmy's pre-teen son whose rebellious nature highlights the strained father-son relationship. Throughout the day, his perspective on Jimmy shifts, culminating in a pivotal moment that brings them closer together, illustrating the impact of shared experiences.
Karen
Karen, Jimmy's ex-wife, represents the weight of past decisions and personal accountability. Her persistent reminders of responsibility weigh heavily on Jimmy, accentuating his struggles and creating a tension that permeates their interactions.
Mel
Mel is an old friend of Steve who runs a bakery, introducing a lighter tone amidst the seriousness of the plot. Her resourcefulness offers a glimpse of hope and creativity in tough times, showing how friendships can foster resilience.
Setting
Uncover the settings of West of Sunshine (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The movie unfolds over a single day, encapsulating the urgent struggles of its protagonist, Jimmy. This timeframe enhances the tension as he grapples with both personal and external pressures, making every moment feel critical.
Location
Melbourne, Ballarat
The movie takes place in Melbourne and Ballarat, two vibrant locations in Australia. Melbourne is known for its cultural diversity and rich history, while Ballarat is famous for its horse racing events, which provide a backdrop for the story's central conflict and excitement.
Themes
Explore the core themes of West of Sunshine (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💔
Family Struggles
Family dynamics are central to the film, particularly the strained relationship between Jimmy and his son, Alex. Their interactions reveal the challenges of parenting under duress, as they navigate issues of respect, authority, and reconnection amidst chaos.
🎲
Risk and Desperation
The theme of risk permeates the narrative, particularly through Jimmy's gambling and the choices he makes to remedy his financial woes. Each bet he places reflects his desperation, showing how far individuals might go when cornered by their circumstances.
🚗
Redemption
The journey with the Ford Fairlane symbolizes Jimmy's quest for redemption. As he grapples with his past and seeks to make amends, the car becomes a crucial element in his relationship with Alex, representing both his heritage and the weight of his responsibilities.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.