Review of Somewhere (2010) by Aaron A — 05 Nov 2011

"i'm nothing".

Synopsis: Set amid the hallowed grounds of Hollywood's legendary Chateau Marmont, this atmospheric dramedy centers on hard-living actor Johnny, whose life is thrown for a loop when his 11-year-old daughter, Cleo, pays him a surprise visit.

Much of what's here was already done better in Sofia's own Lost in Translation, but Somewhere probably shows her strengths and weaknesses better than the 2003 oscar winner. Without the fantastic script Sofia wrote for Translation, Somewhere has to rely on something else to keep it's audience interested. Coppola delivers in the form of thick atmospheric mood, and is (thankfully) enough to carry the film throughout it's 98 minute runtime with ease.

Thought as I said already, the film lacks the terrific script of Lost In Translation, combine that with the absence of a standout performance such as Bill Murray's, and the film has close to nothing going for it except for Sofia's direction. In fact, I literally grasped the jest of the film after only 10 minutes into the feature, thats how uninspired this picture's script is.

But the film is the perfect example of just how far atmosphere can carry a film, as Somewhere is still a pleasurable yarn, despite it's flaws.