Somewhere (2010)

Directed by Sofia Coppola

Starring Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning (Rated R)
3 stars (out of 4)

This is not a movie for people with short attention spans. However, if you have a short attention span why rent a Sofia Coppola movie in the first place? Ill admit I was turned off at the beginning of this film. The film starts off giving you glimpse into the life of Dorff's pathetic bachelor character. He's successful, he gets women, booze, fans, but everything that exists in his life is superficial.
That's why the film gets off to such a slow start. How do you hammer home the point of his shallowness without these 60-sec long scenes of him sitting home alone, drinking, smoking and staring into space? So I get the reason for the slow start. Once Elle Fanning hits the screen the whole mood changes both for the film and its characters. Elle Fanning plays her role perfectly. Its pretty amazing to watch her at work. She really lights up every scene with her laugh and smile. There are visually some similarities with Dakota, but her charisma is uniquely hers. So, even though the film is a slow starter, that is very likely the desired effect. This film manages to jerk the viewer in and out of fulfillment right along with its characters. If this seems like the kind of film you will like, then you will probably not be disappointed. Its at the top of its genre.