Nos âmes d'enfants

Greetings again from the darkness. Not all filmmakers have something to say about human beings and human nature, but writer-director Mike Mills does ... and he continues to prove it. His three previous feature films are all excellent. 20th CENTURY WOMEN (2016) was based on his experience being raised by his mother, while BEGINNERS (2010) was a tribute to his father. THUMBSUCKER (2005) focused on teen angst, and his latest is inspired by interactions with his own son and Mills' documentary projects.

From the mouths of babes. Early on, we watch and listen as radio journalist Johnny (Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, JOKER, 2019) interviews kids in Detroit to get their opinions on all aspects of life and the world, including their hopes and expectations for the future. This and additional segments and the kids' responses seem real, not staged, presenting a documentary feel - especially since everything is filmed in Black and White. In a rare phone call with his estranged sister Viv (Gaby Hoffman, who will always be remembered as Ray's daughter in FIELD OF DREAMS, 1989), Johnny offers to take care of Viv's 9 year old son, Jesse (Woody Norman), while Viv assists Jesse's father, Paul (Scoot McNairy), who battles ongoing mental health issues.

Viv is reticent to leave Jesse with Uncle Johnny, an unmarried man with no kids of his own. But she's desperate for the help. Most of the film revolves around Johnny and Jesse spending time together and getting to know each other. Circumstances take the story from Detroit to New York City to Los Angeles to New York City to New Orleans. It's a terrific journey that lacks any jaw-dropping cinematic elements. These two aren't mountain climbing or spelunking. They simply walk and talk. This allows Jesse to experience a father-figure that's been lacking in his life. For Johnny, he gains a perspective on parenting, which contrasts with his professional work interviewing kids. Jesse is whip smart and funny, but also manipulative and confused and downright quirky. The two of them together is quite something to watch as their relationship develops.

Viv shows up mostly in phone calls with Johnny and Jesse, but flashbacks help us understand the emotional break that occurred between she and Johnny. As the two siblings mend their relationship despite the distance, Mills and cinematographer Robbie Ryan effectively use the black and white palette to negate the excitement of big cities and travel, so that we focus on the personal interactions of the characters. The photography may be beautiful to look at, but it also reminds us that to a kid, a city is a city is a city, and what matters is an emotional bond and sense of security.

Young Woody Norman is a revelation as Jesse. He perfectly portrays a normal kid with normal issues in a grown up world. Gaby Hoffman doesn't have as many scenes as we'd like, but we certainly wish she would work more frequently. As for Joaquin Phoenix, it's a welcome change of pace and tone after JOKER. He plays a man learning to deal with his own vulnerabilities, and he really gets to show off his extraordinary acting talent. The script is filled with psychology and philosophy, but in a grounded manner - ways we recognize from our own lives. It's a reflective film that shows the balance of trying to protect kids and shield them from some adult stuff, while also allowing them to explore and find themselves. The impact of adults on kids and the impact of kids on adults is on full display, but it's also just a couple of guys getting to know each other. And that's pretty special to watch.

The film had a limited opening on November 19, and expands to more cities and theaters on November 24, 2021.

A really well made movie. Well shot, brilliant performances, good writing, but overall I wasn't swept away in this one.

For whatever reason, I was never invested in the story, it did start coming together for me a bit in the last act.

I found myself simply watching the movie and then aware of the acute annoyance of just watching it. Not feeling much, not experiencing much, just watching it.

Maybe that's a me problem? My girlfriend (who is far more emotionally and intellectually intelligent than myself and also has immeasurably better taste) said she kinda sorta felt the same way a little bit.

She said "maybe in ten years it'll mean a little more to us."

And I think she has a good point, this is very much about a man who falls into a parental situation and for my girlfriend and I, those are just about the last kinds of situation we're trying to find ourselves in.

So wouldn't that be a great hook for getting us on board? A single, career focused individual having to step up and be a role model and look after his nephew?

The problem is, Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny is just too good of a character, he makes so few mistakes as he just seamlessly becomes a great figure for young Jesse (Woody Norman). And even when he does make a mistake he's so quick to realize it and correct it.

I guess most of the turmoil of the film is what's happening with Jesse's mother and father, but we don't spend a ton of time with them.

For the record, I like Mike Mills other work, 20th Century Women was absolutely brilliant as was Thumbsucker.

I really enjoyed the black and white photography, and the filming locations are wonderful. We sprawl from Los Angeles, Oakland, New York City, and New Orleans. All great cinematic locations.

Overall, it's a good movie and I can see how this would mean so much to a specific audience member, I am also happy to see Joaquin put on some weight, after Joker, he was looking really unhealthy. But personally, it just didn't have the euphoric effect I get when I watch something that really speaks to me.

I'm not sorry.

I don't want to be too negative about this, as it's cute and tries to bring something good to the world, but I didn't connect all and found it - and I hate to say this about films - boring for the most part. It's ok, I guess, but with 30 minutes you have seen all the film. Underwhelming experience.

A sweet, sad movie about a single man who learns a bit about how tough it is to be a parent when he takes charge of his nephew for a while.

Joaquin Phoenix is the uncle, and he's good, but it's Gaby Hoffmann, playing his sister, and especially little Woody Norman, as the nephew, who steal the show. It's the rare movie that takes children and their thoughts about the world seriously, and it also taps into the anxiety of raising children into a very uncertain future.

People are really responding very emotionally to this film if Internet film sites are any indication, and I can understand why, though it didn't personally resonate with me that much. It's the kind of movie that people bring a lot of themselves to and I imagine any one person's response to it will be greatly affected by their own circumstances in the moment. Though I guess that can be said of any movie anytime.

I did find it weird that, in a movie that's so about the anxiety of the times, there isn't a single mention of Covid. You never see people wearing masks, no one talks about it. This year I've really noticed the disconnect between movies set in present day and the world the way it actually looks right now. It's strange that filmmakers are completely ignoring something that is so dominating every single person's life and has changed the world as much as it has.

Grade: A-

I was wondering while I was watching this, what title I would have given it. And while the title will appear as something a character is saying, the one I used in my summary headline is also working wonders. I wrote so of course I am going to say that right? But let's get into the movie.

Joaquin Phoneix is an incredible actor. And as an uncle he seems to be the one Dude you'd love to have. Even more so for someone like me - having this dream of New York being an awesome city to live or at least experience.

The movie is in black and white by choice, but it's not something that should bother you. It may even help you concentrate on the relationships. The biggest being the one between uncle and nephew, but you also have the sister and her husband. And how they relate to each other ... the most important thing though: how kids or young adults are viewing the world.

This really may be able to make you dream again - to make you question certain things that you may not have questioned before. Not in a conspiracy kind of way - but out of curiosity. Why can't we spread more love amongst each other? And other things that might entirely go along with your moral views (hopefully). I know one of the kids really hit the spot with their quote.

It is hard to describe this other than tell you it is about life. About overcoming small and big changes ... about trying to make the most of it, while still being respectful to one another. About listening ... oh so much about listening ... trying to absorb as much as possible. And trying to remember what you went through, but also making new memories for yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated - talk to children like you would to an adult. Be open to them ... let them tell you what to do. Maybe even look up what to do on the internet when there is an issue.

There are so many great things going on here ... and all are done in a subtle yet quite convincing way ... effortless. Maybe the Oscars are getting it right when it comes to best picture nominees after all ...