SOMEWHERE (2010)

This is a film for those who liked Sophia Coppola’s ‘Lost in Translation’ starring gorgeous Scarlett Johansson and one of Hollywood’s underrated gem of actor Bill Murray. She’s back with another film, this time again with similar theme and characters. It begins with a strange character named Johnny living secluded life in a hotel away from his family. We don’t know anything about his past or life except that he’s got one plastered arm, got text on his cell that reads- ‘why are you such an asshole?’ In the daytime he roams aimlessly in his Ferrari and at night he smokes and drinks and watches paid pole dancers lying on his bed; perhaps they’re tranquilizer for his boring existence to get quick sleep! Slowly we come to know about his profession, he’s actor and has family consists of divorced wife and a sweet teenage daughter named Cleo.

The film takes different turn with entry of his daughter sparing time with him during his promotional visit to Italy. She’s surprised to see the other face of his working dad and we witness the hollow existence of a star, actor who got it all- fame, money and pretty damsels but none of them makes him feel pleasure. Maybe the only emotionally connected woman or relationship of his life is his daughter. As she moves back from his life, he realizes the vacuum of his nothingness more closely. Stephen Dorff is okay but it’s sweet Elle Fanning (younger sister of Dakota Fanning) with her natural expressions wins our heart showing us smart and caring daughter. Just like ‘Lost in Translation’ the pace of the film is tad slow and has least dialogues and very thin plot. Rather it’s very personal film and won’t impress many but than she’s kind of director who pushes you more to observe and think than watch what’s coming. Maybe it’s a reason why it won the Golden Lion at the 2010 Venice Film Festival.

Ratings-7/10