While Sundance Film Festival attendees got an early first look, others won’t have to wait long to see “Suncoast” which is set to premiere on Hulu February 9th. And trust me, it’s a movie you’ll want to see. It’s a semi-autobiographical and deeply personal story from first-time writer-director Laura Chinn. Made in the memory of her own late brother, “Suncoast” is a film certain to resonate with a number of people in a variety of different ways.

Aside from Chinn’s assured direction and her (mostly) absorbing script which is an endearing combination of heart and humor, “Suncoast” thrives thanks to the utterly delightful breakout performance from Nico Parker. The 19-year-old star brings a fresh and nuanced perspective to the coming-of-age drama, navigating a handful of irksome tropes and still relaying an emotional richness and authenticity that often evade movies like this.

Parker plays Doris, a shy and sheepish 17-year-old who spends most of her time helping care for her brother Max (Cree Kawa) who is dying of brain cancer. Ever since her father passed away Doris’ mother, the brash and impertinent Christine (wonderfully played by Laura Linney), has worked long hours to be able to support her family. That’s left Doris to watch over Max, who is immobile and unable to communicate, sacrificing her own teenage experience in the process.

As Max’s health worsens and the end draws closer, Christine admits him into a hospice care center in hopes of making his last days as comfortable as possible. Meanwhile her relationship with her daughter has steadily deteriorated. Regardless of her efforts, nothing Doris does is good enough for her mom. Adding to it, Christine’s preoccupation with Max has led to an unwitting neglect of Doris. Chinn’s measured handling of this mother-daughter tension is crucial. And no matter how hard Christine is on Doris, she’s never presented as a villain. It’s all a byproduct of repressed grief which she refuses to deal with.

At Clearwater Christian High School Doris makes friends with an annoying gaggle of air-headed preppies after offering to host a party at her house while her mom is away. The tired teen antics and shallow drama we get is by far the movie at its weakest. Far more interesting and entertaining is the unexpected friendship that springs up between Doris and a local activist and grieving widower named Paul (a perfectly cast Woody Harrelson). Some of the film’s most organically funny and heartfelt moments are when the two are together.

But the key relationship in the movie remains between Doris and Christine. Linney will have you laughing the hardest with her no-filter directness and quite possibly tearing up the most as she inevitably comes to terms with her grief. Meanwhile Parker delivers such a perfect melding of vulnerability, frustration, and angst. She keenly captures the essence of a teenager forced to grow up too fast yet still yearning for the experience she has missed out on.

Chinn’s affections for her characters comes through in every scene as does her personal connections to key elements of her story. There’s an honesty in her approach and even the most emotionally-charged moments feel truthful. Again, the overly conventional teen stuff get old and can sometimes weigh the movie down. But it doesn’t overshadow the film’s many strengths nor does it take too much away from what is a truly marvelous debut from Laura Chinn. Sign me up for whatever she does next. Premieres February 9th on Hulu.

VERDICT – 4 STARS