Go along for the ride in 'C'mon C'mon,' a tender drama about parenthood
A quiet, meandering story about an uncle bonding with his nephew, “C’mon C’mon” doesn’t really go anywhere, but it speaks to universal truths. Writer-director Mike Mills lovingly crafts a tender drama about the human condition in all its messy, joyful glory. At its center, it’s a sincere portrait of the adult-child relationship, understanding parents like no other movie in recent memory.
Typical of Mills’ films, it comes from a very personal place. The 2011 drama “Beginners” was about his father, and six years later, his mother was the inspiration for “20th Century Women.” Now, "C’mon C’mon" draws from his relationship with his child, and Mills does not miss a beat in capturing the high highs and the low lows of child rearing.
In a role light-years from the manic Joker (for which he won an Oscar), Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a somewhat glum radio journalist traveling the country interviewing youngsters, querying them on “What makes you happy?” and “What scares you?” The answers to these and other questions will astound you.
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Johnny’s sister, Viv (Gaby Hoffmann, terrific), lives in Los Angeles with 9-year-old Jesse (Woody Norman), an eccentric boy with Jim Morrison curls and boundless curiosity. The siblings have been alienated since their dementia-afflicted mother’s death tore them apart a year earlier. Many issues were unresolved and flashbacks reveal the tensions those fights triggered. Other reasons for their estrangement become increasingly apparent. Mills possesses such insight on sibling relationships that his movie should be a required watch for families gathering for the holidays. It might have a grounding effect.
The script quickly sends Viv to Oakland to care for her failing bipolar husband (Scoot McNairy). In a pinch, Uncle Johnny steps in to watch Jesse. Things are awkward at first. One of Jesse’s games is pretending he’s an orphan. He also blasts classical music on Saturday mornings. While reading "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," Jesse asks Johnny random questions such as “Why don’t you and mom talk?” and “Why aren’t you married?” Johnny is puzzled by the odd behavior.
Circumstances demand Johnny take his nephew back to New York. He figures Jesse can help him with the interviews and then a babysitter can mind him. It’ll be fun, he thinks. What Johnny does not know is that plans are fleeting when kids are involved. Children are needy. Too much ice cream for dessert leads to trouble later. Kids lose their minds in stores. Something as innocuous as a musical toothbrush can trigger the apocalypse. Mills clearly knows how to create a child character, eschewing the typical precociousness for genuineness. Jesse is a fully realized pint-sized human. Mom calls him “good, smart and weird.”
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Over the course of the film, Jesse and Johnny discover details about each other as they bond. They fight, say hurtful things and make up and, in the end, are closer for it. At one point, Johnny admits to Viv that he has no idea what he’s doing.
“Welcome to my life,” she replies.
"C’mon C’mon" is shot in gorgeous black and white, but the story – like life – thrives in shades of gray.
‘C’mon, C’mon’
Rated: R for some language
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Scoot McNairy and Woody Norman
Director and writer: Mike Mills
Running time: 108 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters Nov. 24
Grade: A-
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Reach Dana Barbuto at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: C'mon C'mon: Joaquin Phoenix stars Mike MIlls drama about parenthood
