Somewhere

Director: Sofia Coppola
Writer: Sofia Coppola
Production Co.: American Zoetrope
Year of Release: 2010

Well, if you don't know by now, I'm a very, very big Lost In Translation fan. So naturally I'd love this to bits right? It has the same slow, meditative pacing, depressing neo-realism, the same socially awkward character interactions, but something is most definitely missing... A soul.
This is one of the most lifeless films I've seen in quite some time, the entire first act is very long, very boring and goes absolutely nowhere (oh the irony!). I would be more than happy with Sofia Coppola's meandering if she actually gave me something to think about, however there is no theme or pathos in watching a good minute (or two, or three) long shot of Stephen Dorff breathing with prosthetic masking goop on his face. Coppola really is trying hard to create a sense of atmosphere here, and she does succeed, however it is not until the second half where she starts providing the audience with something worth their attention. Essentially, the film is structured as if she's waving her hands in the dark trying to find something to hold onto. Which eventually she does, but it takes a good 45 minutes. It's a shame, because this really had quite a bit of potential to reach the bar that she set for herself with Lost in Translation, however quite a bit of it feels lazy and devoid of inspiration. Although I wouldn't say that this isn't worth watching, if not for the performances alone, Elle Fanning absolutely shines playing a budding teenager, conveying a sense of youth and splendor with a growing perception of the world around her. And there's a bitchin' soundtrack (as always). However, the film really does lack an appropriate ending. It is not even enough to call an ambiguous ending as Coppola doesn't even give any hint or idea as to the ambiguity of the stories finale. There is no question that the film leaves you with other than "what the hell?". Which was supremely disappointing for me, as the film had just begun to win me over. All in all, Somewhere feels like deleted scenes from Lost in Translation which Sofia Coppola tried her best to slap a narrative onto. There are many filler scenes and it's themes are spread paper thin throughout. I do hope Coppola gets her act together soon enough, because it's a shame to let such potential go to waste. However she seems to have already become too complacent to handle her characters' sallow-faced apathy with the tenderness and empathy that is required of her, and what's most frustrating is that we've seen her do it successfully before.

Overall rating: 6.2