Classic Film Review #29: C’mon C’mon

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Mike Mills’ follow-up to the wonderful 20th Century Women is a far more understated affair that is perhaps best characterised by its intriguing monochrome framing, which is masterfully delivered by cinematographer Robbie Ryan. The screenplay, written by Mills, follows Joaquin Phoenix’s radio journalist as he attempts to look after his young nephew (played wonderfully by Woody Norman), whose mother (Gaby Hoffman) has had to go away to look after her unwell partner.

C’mon C’mon is certainly a philosophical film that asks its viewers to ponder the human experience through a child’s eyes, both via the character arc of its co-protagonist and the emotionally moving answers that several real-life children give when quizzed by Phoenix’s character. The latter is one of the picture’s most endearing and unique features and lends it far more poignancy than it perhaps otherwise would have had.

Phoenix is typically excellent but this is most certainly Norman’s film, with his performance defying the usual limitations associated with child actors and giving C’mon C’mon its heartbeat.