I've been trying to figure out how S.Coppola could have made such a great film as Lost in Translation and at the same time such mediocre films (not in terms of writing, but in terms of execution). I wonder, honestly, if it's because she had Spike Jonze helping her out with LIT. I realize that that's a pretty weak theory, but it's all I can come up with at the moment.
Somewhere seemed like a pretty weak effort. With sparse, natural films like this one, the whole aim is to get us to walk away having felt something real. We weren't necessarily supposed to have laughed or have been entertained, but to have had an authentic experience with the characters, in their world. Unfortunately, I had no emotional connection to this story the way it was executed. There was too much missing to make it real or honest to me.
[The opening scene] represents the first of numerous times throughout Somewhere in which Coppola sets down her camera and focuses on mundane, repetitive action. There's a point to this, but the side effect neutralizes it. She wants us to understand the aimless mindset that defines the main character but, by doing it this way, she makes the film inaccessible. She misses the point that one does not have to make a boring film to dramatize the situation of a boring character. The tedium created by the filmmaker's approach overwhelms its effectiveness. Instead of being hypnotized into continuing to watch, we feel a powerful desire to either fall asleep or walk out...There's probably a class of cinephile who will lap up Somewhere, savoring its bland flavor between bites of Baluga caviar and sips of Margaux 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon. For the rest of us, though, this movie works best as a sleep tonic. Somewhere isn't just frustratingly slow-moving; it's inert.
Imagine Lost In Translation but removes the spontaneous humour from Bill Murray, the shy sensuality of Scarlet Johansson, the romantic tension between the two and the exotic experience of living in a 5 stars hotel in Tokyo and you get... Somewhere.
An interesting but clearly weaker movie.
I realize there was a deeper message to be conveyed, but this film was just boring. I was very disappointed with this one after watching some of her other films that I very much enjoyed.
A very slow movie, it's not the kind that I like and I waited for it to end. However, I believe that it's a great movie if you enjoy that type of movie. It has a message in it, a quite good one too
Imagine every movie like this, people would die of boredom. There's no intent driven dialogue to replace the lack of action. I don't dislike it but this is not a reason I watch movies (entertainment).
The film tested my patience, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I still think the front end could be trimmed down, but the last thirty minutes is fantastic.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 33
FlaviaC
Let's see: The life of the rich and famous can be pointless and boring - so is this movie.devilsadvocado
I've been trying to figure out how S.Coppola could have made such a great film as Lost in Translation and at the same time such mediocre films (not in terms of writing, but in terms of execution). I wonder, honestly, if it's because she had Spike Jonze helping her out with LIT. I realize that that's a pretty weak theory, but it's all I can come up with at the moment.Somewhere seemed like a pretty weak effort. With sparse, natural films like this one, the whole aim is to get us to walk away having felt something real. We weren't necessarily supposed to have laughed or have been entertained, but to have had an authentic experience with the characters, in their world. Unfortunately, I had no emotional connection to this story the way it was executed. There was too much missing to make it real or honest to me.
monty
[The opening scene] represents the first of numerous times throughout Somewhere in which Coppola sets down her camera and focuses on mundane, repetitive action. There's a point to this, but the side effect neutralizes it. She wants us to understand the aimless mindset that defines the main character but, by doing it this way, she makes the film inaccessible. She misses the point that one does not have to make a boring film to dramatize the situation of a boring character. The tedium created by the filmmaker's approach overwhelms its effectiveness. Instead of being hypnotized into continuing to watch, we feel a powerful desire to either fall asleep or walk out...There's probably a class of cinephile who will lap up Somewhere, savoring its bland flavor between bites of Baluga caviar and sips of Margaux 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon. For the rest of us, though, this movie works best as a sleep tonic. Somewhere isn't just frustratingly slow-moving; it's inert.Krona
very poor executionAlexDkad
Imagine Lost In Translation but removes the spontaneous humour from Bill Murray, the shy sensuality of Scarlet Johansson, the romantic tension between the two and the exotic experience of living in a 5 stars hotel in Tokyo and you get... Somewhere.An interesting but clearly weaker movie.
Camille Deadpan
Elle Fanning is so amazing in this!sherlocksonlywoman
Enjoyable to a certain extent. For a film star his life was completely mundane. Sofia still has yet to prove herself for me.mondovertigo
I realize there was a deeper message to be conveyed, but this film was just boring. I was very disappointed with this one after watching some of her other films that I very much enjoyed.Elica
A very slow movie, it's not the kind that I like and I waited for it to end. However, I believe that it's a great movie if you enjoy that type of movie. It has a message in it, a quite good one tooNuclearPlanet
I Can't Get Over How Awesome I Found This Film. Bravo!!!Houdini
Imagine every movie like this, people would die of boredom. There's no intent driven dialogue to replace the lack of action. I don't dislike it but this is not a reason I watch movies (entertainment).marcoszan
Too random.Jumping Elephant
boring, yes, but aesthetically pleasingJumping Elephant
tasted your patience loljamesblakeewing
The film tested my patience, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I still think the front end could be trimmed down, but the last thirty minutes is fantastic.Showing items 1 – 15 of 33