Honestly, Sunny Side Up is a movie that shouldn’t work but does, thanks to good storytelling skills by writer/director Mike Melo. Empathizing with Greg is the film’s overall theme, and his relentless self-bullying is how Melo draws the viewer in. Consider Melo’s brilliant and insightful dialogue. Every negative thought in Greg’s mind builds and builds in intensity and then hammers and hammers away at his self-esteem. Each word is carefully scripted and never goes to waste.
When Greg is at the bus stop and sees a woman drop her eyeglass case, a literal war is waged in his head between all his voices. Should he pick up the case? Will the owner think he’s weird? Is he a creep? One voice screams at him to do the right thing as the others tell him to wait for the next opportunity. As soon as the good deed is done, an attractive woman compliments Greg, and the voices scream at him to start a conversation and then immediately scold him for missing the opportunity. This battle in his mind goes on throughout the entire movie, and amazingly, director Melo ensures the gimmick never grows old.
“…amazingly, director Melo ensures the gimmick never grows old.”
Greg’s battle is with himself. The voices tell him he’s a loser. They make him paranoid, wondering what everyone around him thinks—which is all bad. They have him questioning every single move that requires putting himself out there in the world in front of his mother, co-workers, and neighbor Emma.
Speaking of Emma, she is the most significant obstacle/catalyst to Greg’s character arc. She’s interesting because of how assertive she is. Emma refuses to let Greg not answer her direct questions. She challenges him and his condition. As she turns Greg’s world inside-out, we find she has issues of her own.
Sunny Side Up is an example of good storytelling, and it’s worth checking out. The subject matter of the film’s synopsis may not be the most exciting on paper, but there’s a subtle charm and appeal to Melo’s story of Greg that you may connect with. Considering we’re a species that likes to wallow in our insecurities, Sunny Side Up is here to say you’re not alone.
"…here to say you're not alone."
