There's A Placed Call Somewhere

I bet you that somewhere after the first half hour of "Somewhere," the viewer will be either irritated, or fascinated. I admit, it might test your patience. Scenes start and scenes end, and you don't know where they are going, or if the sum of them will really mean to anything. But as you watch, you get more and more sucked into the world it creates, and when you finish the movie, you are forever touched by it. Yes, it does so in a somewhat difficult and oblique way, but that is also its main strength. It's like going on a journey and asking "where are we going," but when you get to your there, you marvel at the destination.


I now really admire Sophia Coppola. I liked even what critics perceive as her weaker efforts, like the Marie Antoinette movie. This movie may not be as expansive as "Lost in Translation," but it is no less profound. We follow Johnny Marco, played with smoldering intensity by Stephen Dorff ,a movie star, going in circles with his life. As he is forced to take care of his 11 year old daughter (Elle Fanning) we see him go through some kind of transition. But we see it abstractly - it's not pointed out - we don't see exactly where he is headed. He is just headed "somewhere." The role is played to perfection, with a mixture of boredom and professionalism by Mr. Dorff. And a star is born with Elle Fanning: her wide-eyed glance is smart and tentative. We think she is playing the mother to his father, but we realize later on it's not what it seems. There is a brilliant scene where the young Ms. Fanning starts crying inside a car  while Mr. Dorff is driving, and the two actors play that scene to perfection, both with astounding authentic vulnerability that is both similar in thought, but distinct in execution. I am still haunted by it. 


I truly hope this film gets some attention. It has been ignored by award-giving bodies, but I hope the Academy will at the very least consider the performances.