Joaquin Phoenix’s first film since his Oscar-winning portrayal of The Joker couldn’t be more different from the DC psychological thriller.
Where Joker was about how dark and depressing the world can be, C’mon C’mon paints a much more optimistic and empathetic view of humanity. To do that, however, it has to start from a fairly low point.
In C’mon C’mon, Phoenix portrays Johnny, a radio journalist who travels the country interviewing children about their lives and asking them what they think about the future. During a trip to Detroit, Johnny decides to call and get back in touch with his sister Viv (Gaby Hoffmann) after not speaking to her for a year after their mother’s death.
During their discussion, Viv asks Johnny to fly to Los Angeles so he can watch her son Jesse (Woody Norman), who is 9, while she goes to Oakland to help her estranged husband Paul (Scoot McNairy). , who is struggling with his mental health. When Paul suffers a setback, Viv asks Johnny to take care of Jesse for a while. As work piles up, Johnny takes Jesse to New York, where he lives, and the two soon develop a strong bond. But their opposing personalities also cause them to clash.
Slow but always intriguing, C’mon C’mon would only work if writer-director Mike Mills found a suitable sparring partner for the always captivating phoenix. Hoffmann deserves praise as she is perfectly cast as his sister. The moments they connect, relate, and even argue erupt with a mesmerizing energy. But it’s Norman who is the real revelation, as his precocity and charm propel Phoenix into unseen territory.
As you’d expect, Phoenix is also impressive, making Johnny seem warm and welcoming at work, but quickly shuts down when his personal life gets too much. As the film progresses, Jesse’s presence helps Johnny change. Rather than being done in a melodramatic manner, there is a subtlety in Mills and Phoenix’s portrayal that means Johnny’s development is gradual and not immediately apparent. Despite this, it is still effective.
As in Mills’ earlier works, which include Beginners and Women of the 20th Century, C’mon C’mon exudes a compassion and kindness that feels comforting as you watch it grow in his characters.
Mills’ decision to turn Johnny into a radio journalist and to include several scenes in which real people talk about the current state of America and their hopes for the future is key to the film’s success. Not only does it make what they say genuinely honest and therefore more resonant, but its funny and even poignant moments are more surprising and hit even harder.
It’s not just the script and performances that make C’mon C’mon such an intriguing watch. The family drama also has a technical brilliance that reinforces the above elements.
‘C’mon C’mon’
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffman, Woody Norman
Evaluation: 4/5
Most notable is Robbie Ryan’s amazing black and white cinematography. Each frame is so beautiful to look at that it can even find beauty on the dingy New York streets and the crowded Los Angeles freeways. Scores by Aaron and Bryce Dessner also play a key role, bringing rhythm and sweetness to the film.
However, it’s the chemistry between Phoenix and Norman that really makes C’mon C’mon soar. Even during the middle act, when it threatens to become too incoherent and aimless, they can make it feel unique, authentic, and ultimately uplifting. C’mon C’mon’s impact may not apply immediately. Instead, it’s the kind of movie that lingers in your head for hours and days afterwards as your spirit catches up with the beauty and heart that is at its core.
C’mon C’mon will be released in UAE cinemas on Thursday
Updated January 25, 2022 8:12 am
‘C’mon C’mon’
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffman, Woody Norman
Evaluation: 4/5
Comments are closed.