‘Somewhere’ misses the mark

Director: Sofia Coppola

Cast: Stephen Dorff, Chris Pontius, Elle Fanning

It could quite easily have been titled ‘Lost in Translation 2’ … since it comes from the writer and director of that original, breakthrough film, we see Coppola continuing to craft works well outside of the Hollywood mainstream and more towards the European mindset.

Unfortunately she fails here to match the observation – insight – she caught in ‘Lost’ and finds instead an aimless, empty story about people who cannot enlist our sympathy or real interest.

They are Hollywood people: self-centred, vain, empty-headed. They are not people to care for.

Dorff plays Hollywood star Johnny Marco, driver of fast cars, liver of the high and hollow life, chaser of women … into whose life is delivered his 11-year-old daughter, Cleo (Fanning), more mature than he will ever be, and potential bringer of a life-changing experience.

We cannot deny that Coppola is a unique talent, we can even forgive her when what she attempts doesn’t always work.

Star Rating: 3/5