Something About "Somewhere"

There's just something about Somewhere the new film by Sofia Coppola. I wasn't a fan of Lost in Translation back in 2003, but once I got past the first 20-30 minutes, it got me.  


Somewhere is the story of Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) an actor whose life revolves around parties, drinking, pole dancers, and sex. Not really as glamourous as we'd think actually.  It quickly becomes quite dull and passive, giving Johnny not much to look forward to.  It is only when Cleo (Elle Fanning) his daughter comes to stay with him before going away to summer camp, that something shifts inside Johnny.  Having Cleo in his life and sharing it with her brings Johnny more joy and happiness than he ever had. He sees his life for what it is and makes a conscious decision to make a change, and eliminate the cold lonely life that his career has brought him.


Dorff and Fanning do a great job in portraying father and daughter. Dorff's Johnny seems to be living the life, but it is easy to see he's not happy, and honestly neither would we be if we were him.  Aside from the one friend from childhood who also plays video games with Cleo, there is little evidence of true friendship in his life.  There isn't much of a plot, but the action moves at an even tempo, allowing us to enjoy the father/daughter moments.  The beauty in this film though is the subtlety in how it presents questions of life for us to ponder, yet still be in the movie. If you change Johnny's career, he could be any of us, just wallowing along in life.


****/5  Trailer


Now about the first part of the film, be patient. For someone who began taking her friend's advice about leaving if the first 15 minutes doesn't grab your attention, this is the exception.  Of course, I have to admit I was a bit prepared as well, having read another review before watching this. I won't spoil it here, but you'll see what I mean. The opening is a beautiful metaphor for Johnny's life, and complements the open bookend ending.  I wasn't sure if I'd like this film going in, but I'm glad to have seen it. It's relaxed pace allows one to just watch and absorb this character's life. There's time for us as viewers to ask ourselves the same question that Johnny finds himself faced with.  What is it that we are meant for in this life? Who are the people we are meant to share it with? Family, friends. No man is an island, and by the end while we may have answered these two questions, what lingers is the silent challenge, what will we do in order to achieve what we were meant to.