So, it’s been a good while since I wrote about anything at all. It hasn’t been that nothing has inspired me, far from it. There have been some amazing films and TV shows all over the place. But is has been a while since I shared an experience worth talking about. Tonight was a special one. It was C’mon C’mon, starring the tentative King of best performances in the world of modern cinema, Mr. Joaquin Phoenix. Who can, seemingly, do no wrong. More of which later.
To make anything now in black and white is something of a statement. You have to justify that choice. It can’t just be about wanting to make it look artistic or appeal to the indy crowd. That boat has sailed. There have been the ones that worked such as Frances Ha. And there have been the ones that failed, such as… Well, you name them… there are many. The point is that to make that choice, you better have a good reason. In this case, I believe the point is to make you listen.
Listening is an integral part of this sublime film. Who is listening to who? And why should they? Why should a brother listen to a sister? Why should a stranger listen to a stranger? Why should an adult listen to a child? What do we believe is important information and why should we trust it? Is the dialogue between two adults more insightful than the discovery between an adult and a child?
I have to admit, that for a good 50 minutes of this film, I did not know where it was going, or why. I also have to admit that although the payoff was great, I cannot describe fully how it managed to beguile me. All I can say is that there was some kind of witchcraft afoot. Because it left me with a feeling that I had seen something fundamentally great. And I have no idea how they pulled it off! So unique and unlike anything else I have ever seen is this movie.
There is a lot made of chemistry between performers. And there is a lot to be said about bad child actors ruining something which, on paper, is potentially good. In this case, the child actor is so natural you would be forgiven for thinking you were watching a documentary about the life of a real kid, which just happens to have Joaquin Phoenix as a co-star. Phoenix, as an actor, is so humble in this role that his ego as a star of such magnitude is almost non existent. His skill is allowing the kid to shine, and that in turn endears us all to the ramshackle story unfolding.
Ultimately, what we are seeing is a love story. Not for anything tawdry or cheap, but for something really worth caring about: the future; and what our youth think and expect of it. Who are their role models? What are their fears and cares? Who are the people going to be who they grow up to respect. And Why? There is a sadness underling it all. Perhaps a wisdom, that acknowledges the shape of things to come and how… they might be shitty, but with a good role model behind it, it just might be ok.
It is a film that will leave the thrill seekers cold. No doubt. It is also the film I was waiting for. I am going to be watching this over and again many times. I am nowhere near being able to articulate all the ways it is good. I only know… it is. And I love the fact instinct alone tells me that. Because that is the feeling I miss: something great happened and I don’t know why.
P.S it is A24 produced. Their track record is getting spooky.
Decinemal Rating: 78
The Wasteland 