C’mon C’mon — Movie Review
by KJ Proulx
Every cinephile knows this by now, but A24 is simply one of the best companies releasing movies today. Nearly every year at least one of their films earns a spot in my top ten of that year. C’mon C’mon will easily be the next film of theirs to do so. Not only is this one of the best films of 2021, but it’s the type of film that will never age. It’s a movie that’s brilliant in its simplicity and will remain a story that can be viewed for decades to come. Here’s why I believe C’mon C’mon to be essential viewing for any film lover.
As young Jesse (Woody Norman) is in need of a sitter since his mother Viv (Gaby Hoffman) has to take some time away, Viv’s brother Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) comes into the picture to watch over him. That’s basically the entire plot of the film right there, but the subplot that Johnny is a radio journalist, trying to complete an audio project is front and centre as well. The audio recording became the heartbeat of the film for me and it elevated an already very well-done nephew/uncle storyline. Jesse is a kid with a lot of unique quirks, which makes it difficult for Johnny at times, but their bond over the course of the film brought me to tears in the final moments. There are many ways this film could’ve failed, but Mike Mills crafted a very authentic screenplay and nothing ever felt off or forced.
Mills also directed this film and while I haven’t loved any of his films in the past, I’ve been able to appreciate that he’s still a great filmmaker. C’mon C’mon is easily my favourite film of his so far (of what I have seen) and my viewing of this film instantly made me excited for whatever he works on next. There is so much subtle nuance throughout this film that makes me want to watch it over and over again. The calm tone of the film is something that really worked for me and it may even end up being my very favourite film of 2021. Mike Mills came to play here and the final product really shows that.
I’m sure this won’t be something that many reviewers will comment on, but even the aspect ratio is not a format seen in many films today. The size of the film almost felt like it was wide open, while also feeling confined. I was just fascinated with the combination of the fact that this felt like a reflection of Jesse’s mind, while also being in black and white the whole way through, explaining that Jesse has a very black and white personality. Again, there are so many subtle things that many people will overlook about this film, but I can’t wait to analyze it and watch it again.
Overall, C’mon C’mon is as close to perfect as you can get when telling a story like this. Not only did I love all the performances here and find the story compelling, but the fact that it just felt so natural is what hooked me from the start. There were hardly any lines of dialogue that felt off. With such a low budget, such a simple premise, and a conclusion that didn’t feel surprising at all, I was blown away by how moved I still was. C’mon C’mon, to me, is one of the finest films, if not the finest film of 2021. It’s now available on-demand and in select theatres.
Rating: 5/5
Check out the trailer below:
