Sofia Coppola's latest examination of life tackles that of Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff - Blade, Public Enemies, Cold Creek Manor - at his best), a highly paid and fast-living Hollywood mega-movie star residing in the Château Marmont. Marco's current existence (as he was injured "filming a stunt" for a movie) consists of lounging around, watching twin pole dancers in his hotel room, drinking and over-medicating. Marco's life has become numb ... except for the brief moments he spends with his 11 year-old daughter, Cleo (a fantastic Elle Fanning - Super 8, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Babel).
These moments are fleeting and brief until Cleo shows up at his hotel one morning unannounced as her mother has to "take some time for herself". The biggest chunk of the movie takes place between these two people as they play Guitar Hero, layout in the sun, swim, eat etc. The movie is quiet, ponderously slow paced and poetic; but every scene has meaning. Somewhere is rather remarkable with what it can achieve through its near-silence.
Coppola generally gathers a wide variety of music to complete her soundtrack (see Marie Antoinette and Lost in Translation) which layers each scene with even more meaning; but here she allows for a more minimal soundtrack which reflects the film's tone nicely (the ice-skating scene with Gwen Stefani's "Cool" still makes me smile).
Both characters have a life of privilege but neither seem to take advantage of it or assume that it'll be there forever (Fanning's character seems complete innocent child -- not the pampered, posh princess she could be). Money may keep these characters from having some of the day-to-day problems of others; but it doesn't allow for them to escape life completely as these people still have their ups and downs. This is apparent with Marco who is realizing his life is blank, meaningless and that he is a cipher without someone who means something to him.
When Marco realizes the meaning Cleo gives to his life, he comes full-circle and realizes his life has been empty. The film is not for everyone as it is slow and there is sparse dialogue; but I found it to be a most-rewarding watch. Somewhere is not a movie of action -- it is a movie of meaning and substance.
Metaphorically, Marco is driving around in circles at the beginning of the film going NOWHERE; but by the end he has found an open road and can finally go SOMEWHERE.
These moments are fleeting and brief until Cleo shows up at his hotel one morning unannounced as her mother has to "take some time for herself". The biggest chunk of the movie takes place between these two people as they play Guitar Hero, layout in the sun, swim, eat etc. The movie is quiet, ponderously slow paced and poetic; but every scene has meaning. Somewhere is rather remarkable with what it can achieve through its near-silence.
Coppola generally gathers a wide variety of music to complete her soundtrack (see Marie Antoinette and Lost in Translation) which layers each scene with even more meaning; but here she allows for a more minimal soundtrack which reflects the film's tone nicely (the ice-skating scene with Gwen Stefani's "Cool" still makes me smile).
Both characters have a life of privilege but neither seem to take advantage of it or assume that it'll be there forever (Fanning's character seems complete innocent child -- not the pampered, posh princess she could be). Money may keep these characters from having some of the day-to-day problems of others; but it doesn't allow for them to escape life completely as these people still have their ups and downs. This is apparent with Marco who is realizing his life is blank, meaningless and that he is a cipher without someone who means something to him.
When Marco realizes the meaning Cleo gives to his life, he comes full-circle and realizes his life has been empty. The film is not for everyone as it is slow and there is sparse dialogue; but I found it to be a most-rewarding watch. Somewhere is not a movie of action -- it is a movie of meaning and substance.
Metaphorically, Marco is driving around in circles at the beginning of the film going NOWHERE; but by the end he has found an open road and can finally go SOMEWHERE.