Somewhere

After the huge success of "Lost in Translation", new films by Sofia Coppola are always hotly anticipated, at least in critical circles and by arthouse audiences. However, after "Marie Antoinette" fell far short of expectations in 2006, expectations for Coppola's latest work "Somewhere" should also be lowered somewhat.

Actor Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) lives a life in the fast lane. One film success follows the next, he constantly shares the bed with beautiful, willing women and at his parties it is not uncommon for things to get really wild. But for Johnny, life as a celebrated superstar is not a dream. Rather, he is damn lonely and feels completely lost. Only the visits of his 11-year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) from his failed marriage can free him from his gloom for a few moments. Such a heavily rich superstar has it just damn hard...

"Somewhere" leaves a somewhat ambivalent impression. On the one hand, the work inspires with its wonderful visuals and good acting performances. On the other hand, the very worn, sometimes tough production is too unwieldy to appeal to a wider audience and leave a lasting impression, as once succeeded "Lost in Translation".

It is obvious that "Somewhere" for the daughter of the legendary Francis Ford Coppola has become a very personal, if not an autobiographical film. The only question is whether viewers who have nothing to do with show business will be interested in the film. Because the film doesn't really tell a real story, but rather delivers a small glimpse into the life of a superstar. And his problems are only really comprehensible for the fewest. Surely, the feeling of being completely alone, even if you are constantly surrounded by other people, is truly not limited to celebrities. Still, it's hard to feel sorry for Johnny Marco, the world he lives in is too alien to the viewer.

To consider the film a failure because of this, however, would not do justice to Coppola's work. Because even if some shots are just plain boring, there are always moments in the film that border on genius without exaggeration. The absurd strip performances at the beginning of the film are among them, as are Johnny Marco's appearance at an awards ceremony in Milan and a photo shoot with his co-star Rebecca (in a small guest role: Michelle Monaghan). It's these moments and the terrific acting of Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning that make it impossible to dismiss "Somewhere" as a handsomely photographed bore. If you like a bit of unwieldy arthouse cinema from America while also being a bit interested in the movie business and don't mind silent, minute-long shots of chic monotony, Sofia Coppola's most intimate project to date can be warmly recommended. Worth seeing with minor reservations!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp