Like Sunday, Like Rain

"Like Sunday, Like Rain (2014): A Quietly Moving Portrait of Unexpected Friendship and Emotional Solitude"

Like Sunday, Like Rain (2014) is an understated indie drama that delicately explores the unlikely bond between two very different souls: a struggling young woman and a precocious boy. Written and directed by Frank Whaley, the film is a character-driven exploration of loneliness, artistry, and human connection. With its quiet tone and minimalist style, it offers a subtle yet emotionally resonant viewing experience.

The story centers on Eleanor (Leighton Meester), a 23-year-old woman living in New York City who is at a crossroads in her life. After losing her job and leaving an abusive relationship, she finds temporary work as a live-in nanny for Reggie (Julian Shatkin), a 12-year-old cello prodigy who lives in a luxurious Manhattan townhouse. Reggie is intelligent, articulate, and socially isolated, raised in privilege but emotionally neglected by his frequently absent mother (played by Debra Messing).

What begins as a transactional arrangement soon evolves into a meaningful relationship. Eleanor, emotionally wounded and searching for purpose, finds herself drawn to Reggie's intelligence and vulnerability. Reggie, in turn, sees in Eleanor a rare adult who truly listens to him and treats him with honesty and respect. Despite their age difference, they connect over their shared loneliness and sensitivity, forming a bond that is equal parts maternal, platonic, and redemptive.

Leighton Meester delivers a restrained and affecting performance as Eleanor. Best known for her role in Gossip Girl, Meester here sheds all traces of glamour, portraying Eleanor with a raw, grounded sensitivity. Julian Shatkin, in a breakout performance, gives Reggie a mix of arrogance and fragility that never feels forced. Their chemistry is what drives the film — quiet, nuanced, and rooted in mutual understanding rather than drama or sentimentality.

Frank Whaley’s direction is minimalistic, letting the performances breathe. The pacing is slow and deliberate, echoing the film’s themes of introspection and stillness. Shot on location in New York City, the film contrasts the bustle of the outside world with the quiet, almost dreamlike quality of Eleanor and Reggie’s inner lives. The score, composed by Ed Harcourt, is gentle and melancholy, underscoring the emotional texture without overwhelming it.

Like Sunday, Like Rain does not follow a conventional narrative arc. There are no grand climaxes or dramatic twists. Instead, the film observes its characters with empathy and patience, allowing their internal struggles and moments of connection to unfold naturally. It’s a story about the brief intersections in life that can leave a lasting impact, even if they are not meant to last.

Critics praised the film for its sincerity and poetic tone, though some noted its slow pace and minimal plot. But for viewers who appreciate quiet storytelling, the film offers a moving meditation on human connection, the ache of solitude, and the healing power of compassion.

Ultimately, Like Sunday, Like Rain is a soft-spoken gem — a film that doesn’t shout, but instead whispers truths about the fragility of life and the unexpected people who help us through it.