Sofia Coppola’s latest, Somewhere, is a pensive look into the life of celebrity, starring Stephen Dorff as an action star promoting his next movie and Elle Fanning as his multi-talented daughter. Dorff plays Johnny Marco, who is overcoming an injury at the Chateau Marmont when his daughter’s mother has a minor breakdown and leaves her daughter unexplained.
Stephen Dorff is mostly known for obscure movies that no one has ever heard of or the very types of action films his character acts in, but in Somewhere, he proves his dramatic talents. This is easily his best role. Dorff gives a quiet and complex performance, making his protagonist likable despite his questionable characteristics. Elle Fanning is also fantastic; she is quickly surpassing her older sister in terms of reputation. Fanning adds a whole new level to the film with her youth and innocence. One wonders if her character is meant to reflect Coppola’s childhood.
Director Coppola is perhaps equally famous for her father, Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, and her 2003 film Lost in Translation, which was nominated for four Academy Awards. Like Lost in Translation, Somewherefocuses on existential crises and the painful dullness of a luxurious life. Coppola uses various film techniques to highlight the passive aggressiveness of life, specifically using time by lengthening Johnny’s everyday events. The plotline of Somewhere is also very similar to Lost in Translation. Both films are very slowly paced without obvious highs and lows to mark typical sequencing. Somewhere may actually be more entertaining for this real-life movement.
Sound is also a prevalent feature in Somewhere; usually, the lack of sound makes a deafening silence. The usage of a demo by The Strokes towards the end of the film (the same song featured in the trailer) produces a chillingly clear but cheery effect, along with the gorgeous underwater imagery of that scene.
Like Sofia Coppola’s highly praised Lost in Translation, Somewhere is a look into the life of luxury. The mood of the film is muffled: it’s bright with undertones of sadness. Stephen Dorff is the perfect actor for his role, and Elle Fanning is exceptional for her age. Somewhere is depressingly relatable while still being uplifting. 4.5/5
Photo from IMDB.com
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Ohio U chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.