The next time a straight person says something to you about same-sex marriage or relationships, just steer them towards Joe Swanberg’s “The Sun Never Sets” (IFC/Sapan). The terrible way that these straight characters act toward each other basically gives every queer bond a free pass.

Edited, written, and directed by Joe Swanberg, who was one of the filmmakers responsible for the mumblecore genre, which reached its peak in the early-to-mid 2000s. “The Sun Never Sets,” Swanberg’s first film in nearly 10 years, functions as a statement that mumblecore exists.

Wendy (Dakota Fanning, in a role that would have gone to Greta Gerwig 20 years ago), who is in her early 30s, lives and works in Anchorage. She hangs out with her friends, many of whom are settling down with partners, including bestie Lindsay (Debby Ryan), who has just told Wendy that she’s pregnant.

For a couple of years, Wendy has been in a relationship with Jack (Jake Johnson), a divorced father of two who is more than a few years older than her. Even though he loves Wendy, Jack is set in his ways and doesn’t want to get married again or have more children. Perhaps because of her age, Jack encourages her to explore other romantic options, even though she insists she doesn't want to.

While on a date, she runs into her hot ex Chuck (queer actor Cory Michael Smith of “1985” fame). Chuck, a pilot, is back in Anchorage working for buddies who have started an air taxi company. It’s obvious that their previous association ended badly, but clearly there is still electricity between them. So, they have a “restart.”

When Wendy goes to Jack’s to tell him about Chuck, he doesn’t take it well. Although he was the one who told Wendy to start seeing other people. Jack appears to take responsibility for the situation, while at the same time struggling to accept that it might be too late for them. Meanwhile, the reformed Chuck has begun to talk about marriage and starting a family.

Now that the conflict has been established, the rest of “The Sun Never Sets” finds Wendy swinging back and forth between Chuck and Jack. Chuck passes on attending a gallery opening for one of Wendy’s friends, but Jack is there and Wendy ends up going home with him. Chuck is still awake when Wendy gets home, and he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to be in an open relationship.

For the next 45 minutes, we watch these irresponsible and emotionally immature straight people put each other through the romance wringer. It’s especially frustrating because viewers may either find themselves rooting for one or none of the characters. 

Rating: C+