Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exceptional but mature Hollywood story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Somewhere
What's the Story?
Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) is a successful Hollywood actor living in the Chateau Marmont. He drifts through his days drinking, smoking, indulging in sex, occasionally dealing with his publicist, and generally trying to stave off sadness and boredom. When his ex-wife suddenly drops off their daughter, Cleo (Elle Fanning), for an indefinite stay, Johnny slowly begins to understand that family may be more important than his career and all its perks. But now that he's made this discovery, how can he change his life?
Is It Any Good?
For all its wandering, this is a very deliberate, masterful, and ultimately very touching movie. Some people may view Sofia Coppola as a privileged daughter of Hollywood royalty who stumbled into filmmaking after trying and abandoning several other careers. Her movies aren't exactly plot-driven, which isn't everyone's cup of tea. But once you get right down to it, she's one of the most ferociously talented filmmakers working today.
Like Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette, SOMEWHERE is also about how people, even if they're successful and surrounded, can grow lonely and bored, and how the right soul at the right time can open their hearts. Somewhere is sparser and moodier than Coppola's previous films and has less humor. But it's no less riveting for the way it captures a poetic mood in each scene and for the way the seemingly random scenes always fold back upon and reference one another.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's messages about sex and relationships. How does the main character view sex? Is that a healthy perspective? Parents, talk to your teens about your own family's values on these subjects.
If Johnny is a successful actor, shouldn't he be happy and have everything he wants? Why might that life be unfulfilling?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 22, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : April 19, 2011
- Cast : Elle Fanning , Michelle Monaghan , Stephen Dorff
- Director : Sofia Coppola
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, nudity and language
- Last updated : September 1, 2022
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