ARNOLD AT THE MOVIES
  • Movie Reviews
  • Review Archive
  • Yearly Favorites
  • Features
  • Contact

Review: C'mon C'mon

12/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Writer-director Mike Mills has made one of the best films of the year. Seriously, C'mon C'mon is inspirational. This black-and-white beauty will leave you in awe. Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman shine from beginning to end. Personal, empathetic, and completely human. 5-stars.


“To visit planet Earth, you will have to be born as a human child..."

Picture
Actors Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman
C'mon C'mon is structured on a simplistic story with a lot of emotional depth, slowly melting your heart away. Mills' (Beginners and 20th Century Women) story follows a radio journalist named Johnny (a phenomenal Phoenix). Johnny is traveling crossed-country: interviewing children and teens about their lives and their thoughts on the future. While Johnny is traveling with his producing partners, he gets an urgent call from his sister Viv (a tremendous Gaby Hoffmann). Viv's estranged husband Paul (Scoot McNairy) is struggling with mental illness and has recently run away. Viv needs Johnny to watch her son Jesse (newcomer Norman); while she takes care of Paul. Here, we get to see and explore Johnny's relationship with his nephew, blossoming into a beautiful picture about feelings, love, and gratitude. Jesse ends up traveling with Johnny on his interviews (New York City and New Orleans). Johnny needs to learn how to care for a child; while Norman needs to learn how to open up about his feelings and concerns in life.

“You will grow up, travel, and work. Over the years you will try to make sense of that happy-sad-full always-shifting life you were in..."

Picture
Actors Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman
Mills' C'mon C'mon is a deeply moving portrait of life and what connects us as human beings. Norman's acting chops are a force of nature in this film. He grabs ahold of you, never letting go. Norman's marvelous performance shines brightly in this movie. He has a bright future ahead of him. Likewise, Phoenix also gives us another moving performance. I really enjoyed Phoenix's performance here. Johnny is vulnerable: always learning how to deal with his past grief. In addition, the movie's black-and-white cinematography by Robbie Ryan (The Favourite and Marriage Story) is drop-dead gorgeous. C'mon C'mon is one of the best-looking pictures of the year. Mills' film feels authentic, and it also feels real. The children and teens that Phoenix's character interviews in this movie are real people. Likewise, their answers are also real, non-scripted. By doing it this way, the movie felt more raw and genuine. It also brought a sense of sadness over you by listening to the pain of these young kids.

"...and when the time comes to return to your star, it may be hard to say goodbye to that strangely beautiful world..."

Picture
Actors Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman
The chemistry between Phoenix and Norman keeps the audience invested as their bond will capture your soul. C'mon C'mon is charming and also incredibly funny at times. Mills' picture knows how to juggle a lot of topics. All of them are equally balanced throughout. There were many scenes where I was laughing, only to be holding back tears in the next. That showcases the craftsmanship and skilled direction Mills molded into this picture. The most human movie of 2021, finding its voice, talking to the audience as we listen. C'mon C'mon is not only a great film, but also a great film that needs to be recognized this awards season. I am afraid that this will be one of those movies that stays largely out of the awards conversation, which would be a shame. So, do yourself a favor if C'mon C'mon is playing at your local theater; go see it right now. Let the sweet melody of Clair de Lune take ahold of you. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be inspired. This tender film about human relationships in this messy world of ours is a masterclass from beginning to end.

Want to hear more of my thoughts about C'mon C'mon? I spoke with my good friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast, Mashely at the Movies | Listen Here.

C'mon C'mon is rated R (Restricted) Language

Directed by Mike Mills

Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Norman, and Gaby Hoffmann.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Ryan Arnold 

    Welcome to
    ​Arnold At The Movies



    Free Palestine 🇵🇸
    Call for a Ceasefire
    Not Another Bomb
    Arms Embargo Now

     Support UNRWA 
    Support MSF

    Support PCRF
    Support CARE
    Support UNICEF
    Support Save the Children
    Support Care For Gaza


    I love film and I love to write, so I thought, why not combine the two? I currently review new movies I see in theaters, on VOD, or streaming.

    Please enjoy, share and leave a comment if you like.



    For Your Consideration:
    akajeannette

    Analysing Horror w/ Lauren
    Awards Season Blog
    Becca Johnson
    Candid Cinema
    Cinefied
    Cinemania World
    The Cinematique
    CRP Writes
    Cup Of Soul Show
    Ephie
    Female Gaze: The Film Club
     Filmotomy
    Film Posers
    From the Front Row
    In Their Own League
    Insert Montage
     InSession Film 
    Jacob Throneberry
    Latinx Lens
    Loud and Clear Film Reviews
    Maggie Lovitt
    Mashley at the Movies
    The Mendez Movie Report
    Mike, Mike, and Oscar
    The Movie Oracle
    Ms. Marya E. Gates
    Next Best Picture
    Offscreen Central
    The Oscar Expert
    Rachel's Reviews
    Reel and Roll Films
    Rendy Reviews
    Reos Positive POV
    Ripe Banana
    Shaurya Chawla
    ShuffleOnline
    The SoBros Network
    Strange Harbors
    Tasha Jagger
     Untitled Cinema Gals Project 

    Movie Reviews

    All

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Movie Reviews
  • Review Archive
  • Yearly Favorites
  • Features
  • Contact