2010. Dir: Sofia Coppola. Starring: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Nunzio Alfredo 'Pupi' D'Angieri and Michelle Monaghan. ●●○○○
The Random House Dictionary defines metaphor as "something used, or regarded as being used, to represent smething else." As such it becomes a vital weapon in the armoury of the modern film maker, however like all tools it must be used sparingly lest the audience get wise to your tricks. Unfortunately no one told Somewhere director Sofia Coppola this so her latest film is so packed with metaphor it's virtually unwatchable.
In what little plot we have the camera listlessly follows Stephen Dorff's movie star - Johnny Marco - as he drifts from room to room in the Chateau Marmont following alternately his rampant libido or his pubescent daughter Cleo, played by Elle Fanning. During the 97 minute running time the odd couple manage to connect over computer games, breakfast and a quick visit to Italy in order for Marco to receive an award in an utterly bewildering way. When she isn't with him - I don't wish to completely slate his parenting abilities - Johnny also shags his neighbour and orders in hysterically inept pole-dancing twins.
Coppola seems to be trying to emulate her success with Lost in Translation, another film about lost souls wandering hotels, but where Bill Murray and Scarlet Johannson were at crossroads in their life there is nothng as tangible for Dorff and Fanning. In Tokyo both of our leads were experiencing cultures alien to them, here whilst the cult of celebrity Marco has to deal with is outside of our experiences it's a comfortable fit for him so thecamera is definitely an outsider to his life.
Dorff is fine, he is able to carry off the role of the bored movie star with aplomb, but like the rest of the movie he is unble to bring us in. Fanning also does good work but it's only a stepping stone for her. The rest of the cast barely register, even that sneaky lift based cameo.
The cinematography by Harris Savidas has a woozy charm and Sofia's script is not without it's incisive or comic touches and it has to be said the soundtrack selection is ace.
We end though with the metaphors, the films started with Johnny Marco drving around in circles and ended with him getting out the car and walking away. We get your point, Sofia, but this just isn't interesting enough.
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Somewhere
Sunday, 12 December 2010
You Can Check out any time you like (Out this week - 10/12/10)
But you can never leave, but more on that later. Late this weekend - and my excuses for this week are even more pathetic than usual. On Friday night it was our Christmas party and I must confess that yesterday I was horribly unwell, my head throbbing I couldn't focus on the screen for long. Today I'm feeling a little better so catching up.
Did anyone guess the link to this week's film in the title? Well it's from the classic Eagles track Hotel California and probably perfectly encapsulates this week's RLAG film of the Week: Somewhere.
Band Baaja Baaraat
There are a couple of Bollywood entries this week, the first of which looks like it's going to give it's target audience exactly what they suspected - it's a romatic comedy set at Delhi University she's organised and has her life planned and he's a slob (ish). Sit back and enjoy.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The third Narnia movie, picking up from the financial disaster Prince Caspian is certainly picking up better reviews and at the moment looks highly likely to claim the box office crown. It's all ships and dragons in this installment and I suspect it wil go down well with the kids.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
For Colored Girls
Tyler Perry takes a break from dragging up for his films and translates the seminal 1970's performance poem by Ntozake Shange. Taking the monologues and threading the storylines together has led to some shock from critics but this looks like an interesting mix. Whoopi Goldberg is among the cast.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
In Our Name
This British Iraq drama may just break the mould on PTSD movies, unlike the majority of American looks at the issue it concentrates on the effect of war on a female soldier, played to perfection by Joanne Froggatt.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
No Problem
It's Bollywood film number 2. Poster has gorillas. No really there are gorillas. I no longer care about the plot the poster has gorillas.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
On Tour
The Burlesque film revival begins here and will carry on with Cher and Christina next week. For now it's a little lower key (although certainly more realistic) as Matthieu Almaric directs and stars as a tour manager moving his girls in the day and watching them perform in the night. Don't take a balloon to the screening.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Outcast
British/Irish movie that looks part drama part horror and mother and son on the run find themselves in a sleepy village which is then attacked by a beast.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Somewhere
Sofia Coppola returns to dreamy hotel landscapes, but this time moves from Tokyo in Lost in Translation to the Chateau Marmont. With Stephen Dorff as a famous enough Hollywood actor wondering what to do next in his career.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●○○○
The Tourist
This might be OK, but I suspect it's going to be a miss with Johnny Depp and Anjelina Jolie looking incredibly sexy in Venice and trying to capture the breezy chemistry of the 50's spy caper templates that this most resembles.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Somewhere
Ever since Sofia Coppola annouced her next movie would be set in the L.A. infamous Chateau Marmont hotel it's been dogged with accusations that it will skirt to close to the feel of her 2003 smash Lost in Translation. That said a surprising Golion Lion win at Venice seems to indicate that any initial resemblence of plotlines is irrelvant when you are doing it so well.
Somewhere is released on 10 December 2010.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Film News (18/04/09)
For a couple of days it was pretty touch and go whether I would have an article this week, the news from Hollywood has been so slow. Eventually we had one fantastic piece of news so I've coupled that with a couple of non stories and here we go:
Somewhere
The best piece of news is that Sofia Coppola will be directing another film about alienation and disconnection from society. This time starring Stephen Dorff (was it only last weekend I was drooling over him in Cold Creek Manor - is it a coincidence or is Sofia reading my mind) as a self centred actor (huh?) with Elle Fanning turning up for some love and life lessons from her father. Like the beautiful Lost in Translation, Somewhere will be predominantly set in a hotel: LA's Chateau Marmont.
I have been a fan of Coppola Jnr. since The Virgin Diaries, and this project should be right up her alley so count me in.
Robin Hood
Another week another casting for Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. This time it's William Hurt riding into the frame as William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke, "Lord Marshal" and often described as greatest knight that ever lived. Now I'm looking forward to the man who made wearing a towel on his head de rigour pulling that one off.
Zero Theorem
In a possible attempt to draw attention away from Billy Bob Thornton's lack of musical career the plot for his next collaboration with Terry Gilliam has been released. It's all about a mathematical formula that can only be uncovered within your soul (and a pretty girl he meets in the 25th century version of online, and the noble son of his corrupt bosses). Sounds slightly barmy and unlikely to succeed to me - perfect for Gilliam, and with the futuristic setting it may even be a Brazil for the tens. Let's hope for no studio interference this time.
