Sofia Coppola’s latest film explores the life of successful film star, Johnny Marco. Stephen Dorff portrays the A-list Hollywood actor who spends his days at the Chateau Marmont, getting by on his success. He is clearly miserable, despondent, and alone no matter how many friends he can purchase. Yet, one day his daughter, Cleo (Elle Fanning), is dropped off by her mother. Citing the need for “me time” her mother unceremoniously pushes Cleo onto her celebrity father. Cleo thus becomes the surrogate parent for her immature father.

Dorff’s Marco seems to only show passion and heart when he is around his daughter. This is made easy due to Fanning’s wonderful performance. She is bright, charming and most importantly, she understands exactly who and what Marco is. The best thing about Somewhere is definitely Elle Fanning’s mature and insightful performance.

Despite the energetic performances, Coppola overshadows her characters with scenic exploration. Coppola’s very languid style of storytelling usually accentuates the visual beauty of her films, and like her others, there is beauty abounding in Somewhere. However, like the Hollywood culture it explores, Somewhere sometimes feels cold and without real joy.

The coldness of the story may be rooted in Coppola’s love for simplicity in her directing. For example, the opening sequence features a single shot of a car screeching around a track several times. The focus doesn’t change, the angle doesn’t shift, and the camera doesn’t move. When the car is off-camera, you only hear the sound of the engine as reference to where it is. Once the car finally stops perfectly in frame, Marco gets out and stands by it. The shot, while stylistically thrilling and offbeat, lacks emotion. The rest of the film follows suit, and sometimes it worked for me, but mostly it became tedious.

Somewhere is an intriguing film that lends itself well to the bizarre nature of Hollywood. Stephen Dorff gives a good performance as an actor who has lost faith in everything. Yet it is Elle Fanning who really gives Coppola’s latest life and light. Fanning is full of energy and truly impresses in a film about the lonely life of celebrity.

What is your favorite Sofia Coppola film?

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