Review of C'mon C'mon (2021) by Moviemitch96 — 23 Nov 2021

A podcaster/interviewer (Joaquin Phoenix) embarks on a cross-country trip with his young nephew, and the two bond and begin to understand each other more as the trip progresses. It's a pretty straightforward film and is very cute and heartwarming at times, but it's also a little TOO straightforward and simple.

It tries to fit in a few big and philosophical ideas throughout the film in the dialogue here and there, but really this just came off to me as a cover-up for lack of a truly unique or engaging story.

I never felt as though the film had anything particularly unique or interesting to say. On the plus side, Phoenix turns in an always reliably great performance, and even Woody Norman as his nephew manages to hold his own alongside Phoenix astonishingly well.

Gaby Hoffman also graces us with a heartfelt supporting turn. Furthermore, the black and white cinematography is beautifully rendered here and gives the feel of classic Woody Allen at times. But overall, the performances and cinematography are all great here, but they can't quite make up for a relatively straightforward and unremarkable story and script.