“C’mon C’mon” - my thoughts 💭

“C’mon C’mon” is a much needed warm embrace of a film in our current social climate. Directed by Mike Mills; the film is a naturalistic, existential dramedy that concerns the relationship between somewhat estranged brother and sister played by Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny and Gaby Hoffmann as Viv. Johnny visits his sister after a long break and reacquaints himself with his mischievous and intelligent nephew Jesse (Woody Norman). Johnny decides he wants to ask him to join him for a week and a bit in NYC to work on his journalist team’s research for a radio show - to which he smiles and says “I’d love to”. Here they interview youth about their hopes and fears for the future. All the while his mother Viv back home, deals with helping her partner, Jesse’s father (who has bi-polar) and has recently moved out.

The young actor Woody Norman who plays 9 year old Jesse is an incredible find. This British actor holds the film together and helps make it as unique as the director Mike Mills intended. The screenplay, also by Mike Mills (although perhaps some improvisations throughout) focuses on the relationship between Johnny and his nephew as they learn to understand and support each other - the writing is dryly amusing and poignant. It’s tricky to say what this film is traditionally about, as while its character dynamics have been done before it doesn’t feel ‘tropey’ but fresh and vital. It’s about hope and connection. How we sometimes hide from our fears instead of sharing these with others. It’s a truly life-affirming film that hopefully will speak to others too.

If you don’t happen to like arty fare, naturalistic styles of acting, pretentious classical music paired with black and white photography in NYC then this one might not be for you! Fortunately, I love ALL these elements and found the result of the filmmaking exceptionally intelligent, wry and moving. I shed tears in multiple scenes as its warmth really asks you to think of your own experiences, and I think many people will bring these experiences with their own family members to this film - and that will shape their appreciation and engagement with it.

Finally, the black and white photography is superb, as is the overall direction and tone of the piece. The performances by the three leads are uniformly excellent. The fine interviews with the youngsters scattered throughout are not scripted, aside from a list of questions the interviewer would ask provided by the director. Mike Mills scouted students from schools that Joaquin Phoenix could then later interview for this purpose.

4.5 ⭐️ out of 5

Now showing in cinemas throughout Australia (Please check your listings if you live overseas).

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