Earnest in its approach, endearing in its appeal and elevated by excellent performances, C'mon C'mon is crafted with care, told with compassion and offers an interesting perspective on world seen through the eyes of the young minds while covering the transformative personal journey of a radio journalist after he reconnects with his estranged sister and decides to look after her son in her absence.
Written & directed by Mike Mills (20th Century Women), there is a welcome warmth & serenity to the way the film addresses & explores its themes and the relationship between our protagonist & his nephew is allowed to develop gradually. The interactions feel natural, the characters are well drawn and while it isn't always sweet & tender but also messy & frustrating, the emotional beats do retain their authenticity.
Shedding light on the way the young, intuitive & curious minds perceive the world around them compared to the grown-ups, the film packs some wonderfully evocative scenes but the drama does get repetitive after some time and the glacial pace also begins to bother. The crisp black-n-white cinematography offers a timeless touch to the imagery. And Joaquin Phoenix plays his role with required composure & gentleness.
Overall, C'mon C'mon navigates life, family, parenting, childhood, healing & transformation to deliver a family drama that strikes a resonant chord at times and is beautifully manoeuvred by the sweet & sincere chemistry between its young & adult leads. The film is at its best when it's conducting interviews with a variety of kids about their thoughts concerning their world & their future but the main story at hand isn't without its merits either.
Written & directed by Mike Mills (20th Century Women), there is a welcome warmth & serenity to the way the film addresses & explores its themes and the relationship between our protagonist & his nephew is allowed to develop gradually. The interactions feel natural, the characters are well drawn and while it isn't always sweet & tender but also messy & frustrating, the emotional beats do retain their authenticity.
Shedding light on the way the young, intuitive & curious minds perceive the world around them compared to the grown-ups, the film packs some wonderfully evocative scenes but the drama does get repetitive after some time and the glacial pace also begins to bother. The crisp black-n-white cinematography offers a timeless touch to the imagery. And Joaquin Phoenix plays his role with required composure & gentleness.
Overall, C'mon C'mon navigates life, family, parenting, childhood, healing & transformation to deliver a family drama that strikes a resonant chord at times and is beautifully manoeuvred by the sweet & sincere chemistry between its young & adult leads. The film is at its best when it's conducting interviews with a variety of kids about their thoughts concerning their world & their future but the main story at hand isn't without its merits either.