C’mon C’mon (2021)

Joaquin Phoenix finally gets to play an ordinary, sane character and does so very well in this story of Johnny, a radio journalist traveling the US interviewing children, who brings along his nine year old nephew Jesse (Woody Norman). Gaby Hoffmann plays Johnny's sister/Jesse's mother and all three leading actors are terrific, portraying full ranges of emotions.

Director/writer Mike Mills took inspiration from various children, including his own, when writing the script.

The original score by Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner is available on Apple Music (probably others) and there are lots of songs.

The crisp black and white cinematography is thanks to Robbie Ryan, and he is among the many nominees and winners so far this awards season. Here's my running list of selected nominations and wins.

Phoenix was last blogged for Joker, Hoffmann for Obvious Child, Mills for 20th Century Women, Bryce Dessner for Irresistible, and Ryan for The Favourite. Norman has had a handful of TV roles in his native England as well as one previous feature film. Aaron Dessner has worked with his brother Bryce in the band The National, among others.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics are keeping up, with a 94% average, but its audiences are lagging at 78.

When we rented it on Apple TV January 7 I was happy to have captions, because the dialogue mix is not very clear.