C'mon C'mon - Joaquin Phoenix has gradually become my go-to performer. Even after tallying all the performances that made an impression and stuck with me he still sort of snuck up on me.
The Master,
Joker,
You Were Never Really Here,
Inherent Vice,
We Own the Night. Even his earlier, smaller roles like
8MM or ones in movies that so many seem to disparage like
Signs.
Here he plays Johnny (no last name) a radio journalist working on a wide ranging project interviewing younger people in different parts of the country. His estranged sister Viv (Gaby Hoffman) is having to deal with her husband Paul's (Scoot McNairy) mental illlness and asks Johnny if he can look after his nine year old nephew Jesse (Woody Norman). Viv and Johnny haven't spoken for a year following their mother's death from dementia. After a few days Johnny's work assignment can no longer be ignored and he asks Viv if he can take Jesse back to New York with him.
This story of two strangers gradually forming a bond has been done before with Wim Wenders
Alice in the Cities springing immediately to mind. But it's the strength of the three main characters that sets it apart from so many others. Phoenix continues to impress the hell out of me and Gaby Hoffman is just note perfect as an overwhelmed but still loving and supportive mom. And there wouldn't be a movie without it's most integral part. Kid actor Woody Norman is actually British and he's either a star in the making or director Mike Mills really knows how to coax naturalistic performances out of young actors. I think Hoffman and Norman nearly steal the movie from Phoenix and that's really saying something.
I liked the black and white photography and the choices made with the soundtrack. I know it's been used countless times before but what can I say, I'm a sucker for Clair de Lune. I also liked the little vignettes from essays and articles and books. There was a chautauqua kind of feel to them. Really liked the whole vibe of the film and makes me want to check out Mills' three other movies.
90/100