C’mon C’mon Movie Review: Star Children
The challenges of childhood are often underestimated, and incorporating interviews throughout the movie doesn't appear as an overly experimental or self-indulgent choice by the director. Instead, it serves a clear purpose in reinforcing the theme that issues typically regarded as adult problems are also challenges that children have to contend with.
The movie explores themes of childhood and motherhood from the perspective of an uncle who is striving to maintain a strong connection with his sister and her son.
It struck a chord that wrung me emotionally, and humbled me in the process. I also got very interested in that Star Child book.
[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT]
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From the very beginning, it envelops us in a finely tuned auditory experience, weaving a tapestry of musicality and subtlety through its sound effects.
The sound editing in this film is truly outstanding. The spotlight on Joaquin Phoenix's character, Johnny, and his perspective makes for a great way to tell this story. His job which is carrying out nationwide radio interviews, talking with children lends itself to the narrative and seamlessly transitions from the recordings of the kids he's interviewing to Johnny's own journal entries, presented as his daily recaps of these interactions.
In a particular scene, Johnny attempts to interview his nephew, Jesse (played by Woody Norman), who initially declines. Instead Jesse wants to try on the headphones that Johnny is wearing in his initial attempt to record their conversation. The moment Jesse puts on the headphones that Johnny was wearing, there's a seamless transition in the audio quality the audience hears. It shifts from the ambient background noise we were listening to when they were talking, to a crystal clear and focused sound, mirroring what one would experience when wearing the headphones themselves.
This is just one example of the subtle sound editing techniques that I found particularly impressive.
It’s technical audio things like that, and also the inclusion of poetic narration throughout the movie.
Sometimes, we witness segments of Johnny conducting interviews with children across the country, in locations such as Detroit and New Orleans. The anecdotes provided by the kids are highly personal and don't directly connect to the main narrative. However, they serve the purpose of character development for Johnny, showing what he does for a living, and also contribute to the overarching theme of growing up.
The challenges of childhood are often underestimated, and incorporating many of Johnny's interviews throughout the movie doesn't appear as an overly experimental or self-indulgent choice by the director. Instead, it serves a clear purpose in reinforcing the theme that issues typically regarded as adult problems are also challenges that children have to contend with.
And then there are moments when Joaquin delivers profound readings. The film frequently depicts him reading different literature during montages, usually literature related to things happening in his personal and professional life, and then features him as the narrator throughout the montage as he reads deep excerpts:
“I ask for trust, cooperation and permission without knowing where the experience will lead the subject. I can and will leave a place, a situation, a problem, but the people I interview cannot. The work offers the interviewer access and a reason to stay in a world that’s not my own…”
This film takes the gentle route, not opting for overwhelming intensity, and it's all about the journey of nurturing children. It talks about the exquisite, as well as the gut-wrenching aspects of guiding a young person through life's maze, particularly when mental health is part of the equation. And woven into the fabric is the essential message of carving out time for those who need it, for the ones we hold dear.
It's unique because the movie explores themes of childhood and motherhood from the perspective of an uncle who is striving to maintain a strong connection with his sister and her son.
It delves deep into the heart of memory, plunging into the depths of your being, then tenderly guiding you toward a path forward.
C'mon, C'mon emotionally shatters and then heals you. It inspired me to continue reminiscing and cherishing moments with your loved ones, as this is the best way to hold onto precious memories.
Revisiting the past can serve as a profound source of healing, as memories drawn from the recesses of our souls reverberate with newfound vitality when brought back to life.
The portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix's character as an interviewer who meticulously records everything beautifully aligns with the overarching theme of preserving memories. These recordings serve as poignant vessels through which we can revisit and relish cherished moments, preventing them from fading into oblivion. In many ways, it mirrors the enchanting ability of movies and music to encapsulate moments in the essence of time, like treasures in a timeless bottle.
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C'mon C'mon: Details That Make the Movie Interesting
I understand that some might brand the pace and unraveling of the story as boring.
But for me, the dialogue, the portrayal of a loving but mentally ill father (played by Scoot McNairy) and his bewildering, intricate psychosis tragically intertwined with his sincere paternal affection for his son – these elements and more liked it felt incredibly authentic and unfiltered to me.
Gaby Hoffman's portrayal of the mother character illuminates her unwavering commitment, which in turn accentuates the inherent injustices frequently borne by mothers, enriching her character with depth and complexity. What lends this portrayal its captivating quality is the narrative structure, with the mother's story artfully unveiled through the uncle's perspective. This distinctive viewpoint, intertwined with the humbling interactions with Jesse, imbues the narrative with a profound sense of depth and intrigue.
It's a piece that ultimately, goes down easy, yet it's got layers that demand introspection.
I must confess, a tear or two welled up in my eyes as I watched Jesse poignantly express his sorrow over the prospect of losing the memories of his early childhood. It was a masterful display of acting, especially considering his young age. In a heartwarming exchange, Jesse and Joaquin's character delve into the inevitability of Jesse forgetting the precious moments they are sharing. The conversation arises organically while Joaquin reads "Star Child" by Clare Nivola to Jesse. This poignant moment serves as a reminder of the commonality of fading childhood memories, often lost to the sands of time.
It struck a chord that wrung me emotionally, and humbled me in the process. I also got very interested in that Star Child book.
C’mon C’mon took me on a journey that stirred worry at first making me think about how sad life can be, in its smallest and biggest ways, but the movie eventually wraps you in a warm, comforting blanket that makes you feel good about the way things are.
Overall, I rate this film 9.2/10
Please enjoy one of my favorite scenes from the movie:
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