Review of Somewhere (2010) by Sibling A — 29 Apr 2011

You would be hard pressed to find a working director who says so much by saying so little.

I enjoy Sofia Coppola's films. Like, a lot. Perhaps more than your average movie goer. And it's weird because I always find myself with low expectations going in. Where this stems from, I cannot tell you. I was not interested in seeing The Virgin Suicides (1999), but thought it was a great effort from a freshman director who could go on to big things.

I was not overly excited about Lost in Translation (2003), but wanted to check it because it had Bill Murray. Plain and simple. But I came out of it raving about Coppola's direction and, most specifically, her use of Japan's stunning scenery as one of the main character's in the film. I still think fondly of the backdrop in the golfing scene.

I had literally no interest to see Marie Antoinette (2006) whatsoever, but throughly enjoyed it and felt my premonition following my viewing of The Virgin Suicides may be coming true.

This brings me to Somewhere.

This has been out for some time, and upon release, I immediately dismissed it. Not that I thought it was going to be terrible, but I just felt like it was going to be forgettable. For whatever reason, I felt like checking it out today. And, as her track record with me would indicate, I was left satisfied and impressed with her once more.

What we have here is a very interesting take on the modern Hollywood Celebrity. Stephen Dorff plays Hollywood A Lister Johnny Marco. His life is what we hear about often. Shacked up in the Chateau Marmont, he is living the life of impromptu parties, women and alcohol at every turn, and the ability to race his Ferrari in the desert. Doesn't sound too bad. But we see pain almost from the outset of the film. Johnny Marco has everything, but a soul.

Somewhere opens somewhere in the desert. Johnny Marco is racing his sleek, black Ferrari. In circles. A bleak microcosm of his life. Fast. Repetitive. Destination: No where.

We come to learn that Marco has a daughter, Cleo, whom is 11. It is not until he gets to spend some real quality time with Cleo that Marco realizes that happiness and purpose exists.

Before Cleo goes to camp, they get to spend, what seems like, the most time they've spent together. And its wonderful to watch. Cleo is, in so many ways, much more mature and grown up than Marco and they help each other grow. Cleo has her own that seems to be aided, or at least forgotten about, because of the time she gets to spend with her father.

Stephen Dorff is really quite good in Somewhere. Incredibly subtle and understated with every action. His loneliness is portrayed to perfection on the screen. He doesn't say much throughout the film, but his emptiness is evident with just the simplest of facial expressions.

Coppola is excellent again behind the camera. She tells her stories with such little dialogue. Mannerisms and scenery telling us so much, leaving very little that even needs to be said. She surrounds her characters in Somewhere with so much beauty; scenery, people, material things, but there is so much loneliness and unhappiness in the middle of it all.

There is one particularly excellent scene in the picture that stands out. Johnny Marco is standing on a road in Las Vegas trying to communicate with his daughter who is mere feet away. The sound of a helpicopter is drowning out his words. And it is just that. There is so much unnecessary outside interference that gets in the way sometimes. There can be so much chaos around you that make the simple, beautiful things you are trying to say get lost amid a sea of nonsense.