Review of This Must Be the Place (2011) by Alvaro S — 07 Jan 2013

The major theme of the film is simply Cheyenne's journey from Child to Adult and this road film finds his character wealthy, a former rock star, but depressed, guilty and lacking focus or direction in life.

When his father dies he attempts to connect with people who were important to him. I must admit the hair and makeup are rather like a mask that Cheyenne hides behind -- a mask contrived not out of homosexuality but teenage rebellion.

Unfortunately many people mistakenly thought this movie is "about" a cross-dresser or gay character, but that is not the case. So, perhaps this "attire" didn't suit the film well and another type of rebellious garb could have been chosen without the lipstick and hair.

Since Sean really looks like so many of our Aunties or Grandma's -- the movie poster was kind of a lame joke. Sorry, but I liked this movie and almost all of Sean Penn's other movies, but I think there was a wardrobe malfunction here.

.. I thought at first the character was supposed to be imitating the lead singer of the Cure or perhaps even Marc Bolan but I read somewhere he had in mind Suzie and the Banshees or some other bands. His character Cheyenne has a soft sweet voice much like Truman Capote but it is an affected voice implying that like his mask his true voice is also hidden.

I am not sure this film is "revalatory" or provides any answers. More, it does point to Cheyenne's process of moving from childhood to adulthood by embracing certain things and discarding others.

Along the way his confusion and clarity become evident. He helps some people and chastises others in a sweet disaffected way. His sadness, melancholia and listlessness are reflected in his eyes. One of the most perplexing scenes is when he breaks down and explains his musical inactivity and feelings of remorse to David Byrne formerly of the Talking Heads.

David simply stares back at him perhaps implying, "So what?" In that moment you see the difference between these two people is so great because of maturity and experience. David Byrne is talking about music and Cheyenne only can see his remorse and inability to be an adult who rises above his pain and remorse.