When people compile their list of favorite directors, Sofia Coppola is usually absent. While she hit a home run with "Lost in Translation", and while "The Virgin Suicides" put her on the map, there lies the clunky "Marie Antoinette" (I haven't seen it, but critically it was a misfire), and "Somewhere" isn't in the league of her first two films (both audience/critic-wise). So I can understand why she hasn't made lists yet.
What intrigued me about "Somewhere" was not only who was at the helm (Coppola), but in fact Coppola's interviews for the film. She said she envisioned the script when she stayed at the exact hotel the movie takes place in, and how it mirrored her and her father (Francis Coppola)'s relationship, back when she was a younger girl. She basically gave the impression this was a deeply personal film, including her taking control of the shots of the film, and with her writing credit as well as her directing credit, I couldn't wait to see how the film unfolded.
The critics were spot-on with "Somewhere". It's not a great movie because "Somewhere" turns into "Nowhere" at times, but it was worth going along the ride at least once. But what made the trip worthwhile? Like any review hasn't mentioned this, but the acting from Dorff and Fanning was nothing short of excellent. But the way Coppola uses facial expressions, long pans without any dialogue or movement, combined with aesthetics to create mood is definitely a skill she's picked up from film school. Everything here matches the tone perfectly, along with the pitch- perfect score (It was funny hearing Gwen Stefani's "Cool" in what appeared to be a 70's/80's set film, but to my surprise the time period was modern). I also loved the color palette/scheme of the film. Visuals here aren't exactly perfectly detailed, and at points it looks like it was shot at 35mm, but that's part of the charm.
Where did "Somewhere" go "Nowhere"? For starters, the pacing. Never once did I drift off the screen too much, but there's moments in the film where if it were to be exempt from the project, I don't believe it would disrupt the flow, or take anything away from the film from an emotional standpoint, but Coppola let all 97 minutes run by. Also, I understand Coppola's style of filmmaking is to let the pictures do the talking, not exactly the script, but some moments in the film (where a dilemma is reached), the audience is scratching their head because they aren't exactly sure what a motive is behind a character, or why it would be a big deal. And that ending could've used some work.
I don't doubt your average moviegoer will rip "Somewhere" to shreds. With its cautious pace, its quite environment, and anti-Hollywood portrayal (even if that's not a major concept Coppola tackles), this is not for everyone. However, just because a film may be different than what you are used to seeing doesn't mean it has to be bad, so this is where "Somewhere" succeeds. My advice to Coppola is that she continues to shoot films how she'd been shooting them, and to keep her aesthetics on a leash, but to give her characters more to work with because at times the experience can be lagging. All in all, despite some bumps in the road, "Somewhere" is worth seeing at least once to show how much Coppola has come along since her previous efforts.
What intrigued me about "Somewhere" was not only who was at the helm (Coppola), but in fact Coppola's interviews for the film. She said she envisioned the script when she stayed at the exact hotel the movie takes place in, and how it mirrored her and her father (Francis Coppola)'s relationship, back when she was a younger girl. She basically gave the impression this was a deeply personal film, including her taking control of the shots of the film, and with her writing credit as well as her directing credit, I couldn't wait to see how the film unfolded.
The critics were spot-on with "Somewhere". It's not a great movie because "Somewhere" turns into "Nowhere" at times, but it was worth going along the ride at least once. But what made the trip worthwhile? Like any review hasn't mentioned this, but the acting from Dorff and Fanning was nothing short of excellent. But the way Coppola uses facial expressions, long pans without any dialogue or movement, combined with aesthetics to create mood is definitely a skill she's picked up from film school. Everything here matches the tone perfectly, along with the pitch- perfect score (It was funny hearing Gwen Stefani's "Cool" in what appeared to be a 70's/80's set film, but to my surprise the time period was modern). I also loved the color palette/scheme of the film. Visuals here aren't exactly perfectly detailed, and at points it looks like it was shot at 35mm, but that's part of the charm.
Where did "Somewhere" go "Nowhere"? For starters, the pacing. Never once did I drift off the screen too much, but there's moments in the film where if it were to be exempt from the project, I don't believe it would disrupt the flow, or take anything away from the film from an emotional standpoint, but Coppola let all 97 minutes run by. Also, I understand Coppola's style of filmmaking is to let the pictures do the talking, not exactly the script, but some moments in the film (where a dilemma is reached), the audience is scratching their head because they aren't exactly sure what a motive is behind a character, or why it would be a big deal. And that ending could've used some work.
I don't doubt your average moviegoer will rip "Somewhere" to shreds. With its cautious pace, its quite environment, and anti-Hollywood portrayal (even if that's not a major concept Coppola tackles), this is not for everyone. However, just because a film may be different than what you are used to seeing doesn't mean it has to be bad, so this is where "Somewhere" succeeds. My advice to Coppola is that she continues to shoot films how she'd been shooting them, and to keep her aesthetics on a leash, but to give her characters more to work with because at times the experience can be lagging. All in all, despite some bumps in the road, "Somewhere" is worth seeing at least once to show how much Coppola has come along since her previous efforts.