Review of Somewhere (2010) by Joel M — 16 Jul 2011

Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere" is very serene and lackluster; it does not contain a major conflict, and it is pretty much quasi-silent. But somehow the impact of "Somewhere" is resoundingly strong to make it one of the best movies of 2010. The movie stars Steven Dorff as Johnny Marco, a movie star who spends much of his time between film shoots in West Hollywood's infamous Château Marmont Hotel. Marco is a low-key but famous actor who keeps an even keel throughout his daily "movie star fame" experiences, is extremely courteous to others, priorities attention to his daughter Cleo, and personifies what we would hope every popular movie star should act like; talk about your "Be Good, Johnny". Marco does have the ladies after him and is more than just a modern day Don Juan de Marco actor gigolo. Nothing really excites him, probably due to the fact that he has lived his wild oats in the Hollywood fiesta life and has left his Hollywood bad-boy movie star days behind him. "Somewhere" primarily focuses on the time that Cleo spends with dad Johnny at the Château Marmont. Johnny is not a full time dad to Cleo, but not because of being guilty of daughter desertion; He is no longer involved with Cleo's mother and being a movie star with its rigorous travel shooting schedule makes it difficult for them to spend more time together. When Cleo's mom announces that she is going to be away for a while and leaves Cleo with Marco Papi at the Château Marmont, it gives them an opportunity to check-in to more quality time together in the whole father-daughter bonding amenity. Coppola's masterful direction presents their connection and the rest of the film's features in such a subtle, sincere perspective that it's very hard to get lost in narration watching "Somewhere" even though there is not much dialogue. But when there is dialogue, it is not wasted; credit again to Sofia who scribed the picture. Without a doubt this was Dorff's best performance of his career, and somewhere I think his name got lost in the shuffle of 2010's Best Actor Oscar nominees. Elle is for talent, because young Elle Fanning's endearing work as Cleo is another mark to this child actress' so-far impressive young thespian resume. Even though Elle is south to her sister Dakota in age, she is a bit north to Dakota already in stellar acting. Somewhere I can see close-minded moviegoers walking out on a "Somewhere" showing because of its simpleton tone. But in many somewheres, this film has been rightfully celebrated by those who value a genuine movie brilliantly orchestrated by its auteur. Sofia so far is making the Coppola name very proud, and I will wine taste to that!

***** Excellent.