C'mon C'mon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMike Mills
Written byMike Mills
Produced by
  • Chelsea Barnard
  • Lila Yacoub
  • Andrea Longacre-White
Starring
CinematographyRobbie Ryan
Edited byJennifer Vecchiarello
Music by
Production
company
Be Funny When You Can
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • September 2, 2021 (2021-09-02) (Telluride)[1]
  • November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19) (United States)
Running time
108 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8.3 million[3]
Box office$4.5 million[4][5]

C'mon C'mon is a 2021 American black-and-white drama film written and directed by Mike Mills, and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Scoot McNairy, Molly Webster, Jaboukie Young-White, and Woody Norman. It had its world premiere at the 48th Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021, and was given a limited theatrical release by A24 starting on November 19, 2021. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for its performances, direction, and cinematography.

Plot

Johnny is a single, middle-aged radio journalist who is currently working on a project that entails traveling the country with his producing partners to interview children and teenagers about their lives and thoughts about the future. While in Detroit, he calls his sister Viv, with whom he has not spoken since their mother's death from dementia a year earlier. They have a nice conversation, and Viv asks Johnny if he can come to Los Angeles and watch her nine-year-old son Jesse, as she has to travel to Oakland to help Paul, her estranged husband and Jesse's father who struggles with bipolar disorder, get settled there. Johnny agrees, and he and Jesse quickly forge a bond as they get to know each other and Johnny shows Jesse how to operate his audio equipment.

Viv discovers Paul is doing worse than she had thought and feels she should stay in Oakland until she can convince him to seek medical attention, so Johnny, who needs to return to work, convinces Viv to let him take Jesse with him to his home in New York City. He finds caring for Jesse while trying to work increasingly difficult, and one night, after Jesse disappears at a store, Johnny snaps at his nephew. While trying to apologize, he lets slip that Viv is try to help Paul, rather than just for a visit, but, eventually, Viv and Johnny are able to smooth things over with Jesse. From time to time, Jesse asks Johnny questions about his relationship with Viv and his personal life, and it is revealed that Johnny and Viv fought over how to care for their mother as her health deteriorated, that Johnny told Viv to leave Paul the first time Paul had issues with his mental health, and that Johnny was once in a long-term relationship with a woman, Louisa, whom he still loves.

Paul checks himself into a treatment center, but asks Viv if she will stay nearby until he is better, so Johnny, feeling confident, agrees to keep watching Jesse. When his producing partners begin to pressure him about an opportunity to interview some children in New Orleans and he loses Jesse on the street, however, he realizes he is in over his head and buys Jesse a plane ticket back to L.A. On the way to the airport, Jesse says he needs to use the bathroom, but then locks himself inside, saying he does not want to go home yet.

Johnny takes Jesse with him to New Orleans. He apologizes for wanting to send Jesse away, and the pair get back on good terms as Johnny works and they explore the city. When Viv calls with the news that Paul is doing much better and the doctors are sending him home, so she is coming to get Jesse, Jesse becomes upset and runs off. At first, he will only say that he is "fine", but Johnny helps him vent his frustrations by yelling and kicking the air. Jesse asks Johnny if he will be like his father when he grows up, and Johnny says he does not think so, as Viv has taught him how to deal with his emotions in a healthier way.

Viv flies to New Orleans and takes Jesse home. Back in New York, while listening to the recordings from New Orleans, Johnny hears a message from Jesse, in which he says that Johnny is probably his best friend. Johnny later sends Jesse a voice recording recounting their time together and reiterates a promise to remind Jesse about anything he forgets as he grows up.

Cast

  • Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny, a radio journalist
  • Gaby Hoffmann as Viv, Johnny's sister, Jesse's mother, and Paul's wife
  • Woody Norman as Jesse, Viv and Paul's son and Johnny's nephew
  • Scoot McNairy as Paul, Viv's husband and Jesse's father
  • Molly Webster as Roxanne, Johnny's co-worker[6]
  • Jaboukie Young-White as Fern, Johnny and Roxanne's assistant[7]
  • Deborah Strang as Carol, Johnny and Viv's mother
  • Sunni Patterson as Sunni, who sets up the interviews in New Orleans

Production

In September 2019, it was announced Joaquin Phoenix had been cast in the film, which Mike Mills would direct from a screenplay he wrote, and that A24 would handle distribution.[8] Gaby Hoffmann joined the cast the following month,[9] and Woody Norman's involvement was announced in February 2020.[10]

Principal photography began in November 2019 and ended in January 2020. The film was shot, largely in sequence, in Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and New Orleans.[11][12][13][3] In December 2019, Robbie Ryan revealed that he was working as the film's cinematographer.[14]

In the film, Joaquin Phoenix's character, Johnny, works as a radio journalist.[15] Co-star Molly Webster, who plays Roxanne, is a real-life public radio journalist and Senior Correspondent for WNYC's Radiolab.[16] The children who appear in the interview scenes were not actors, and their authentic responses to Phoenix and Webster's questions were recorded for inclusion in the film.[17]

Music

The National's Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner, contributed to the film's score; the former made his feature film scoring debut.[18] A soundtrack to the film, consisting of their score, released as their first album from A24 Music, the subsidiary music label of the producers, a week before the film's release, and preceded with "I Won't Remember?" as the lead single.[19][20]

Release

C'mon C'mon had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2021.[21][22] It screened at the Chicago International Film Festival,[23] the Hamptons International Film Festival,[24] the Mill Valley Film Festival,[25] the New York Film Festival,[26][1] the Rome Film Festival[27] and the San Diego International Film Festival,[28] among others. The film was given a limited theatrical release in the U.S. by A24 starting on November 19, 2021.[29]

Reception

Box office

Opening weekend, the film made $134,000 from five theaters, with its per-venue average of $26,800 being the best for a limited release since February 2020.[30][31] Its second weekend, the film made $293,800 from 102 theaters,[32] and its third, the film earned $462,022 from 565 theaters.[33]

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94% based on 212 reviews, with an average score of 8.1/10; the site's "critics consensus" reads: "The sweet chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman is complemented by writer-director Mike Mills' empathetic work, helping C'mon C'mon transcend its familiar trappings."[34] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[35]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Camerimage November 20, 2021 Main competition Robbie Ryan Won [36]
Gotham Independent Film Awards November 29, 2021 Outstanding Lead Performance Joaquin Phoenix Nominated [37]
Outstanding Supporting Performance Gaby Hoffmann Nominated
Detroit Film Critics Society December 6, 2021 Breakthrough Woody Norman Won [note 1] [38]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 6, 2021 Best Youth Performance Won [39]
Best Original Screenplay Mike Mills Nominated
National Board of Review December 3, 2021 Top 10 Independent Films C'mon C'mon Won [40]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle January 10, 2022 Best Original Screenplay Mike Mills Won [41]
Austin Film Critics Association January 11, 2022 Best Original Screenplay Nominated [42]
London Film Critics Circle Awards February 6, 2022 Young British/Irish Performer of the Year Woody Norman Won [43]
Independent Spirit Awards March 6, 2022 Best Feature Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub, and Andrea Longacre-White Nominated [44]
Best Director Mike Mills Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
British Academy Film Awards March 13, 2022 Best Actor in a Supporting Role Woody Norman Nominated [45]
Satellite Awards April 2, 2022 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Joaquin Phoenix Nominated [46]
Best Original Screenplay Mike Mills Nominated
Best Cinematography Robbie Ryan Nominated

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 "NYFF59 Schedule". filmlinc.org. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "C'mon C'mon". filmlinc.org. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Joaquin Phoenix among stars headed to New Orleans: His next film, 'C'mon C'mon,' to begin shooting Tuesday". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "C'mon C'mon". The Numbers. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. ↑ "C'mon C'mon (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "'C'mon C'mon': Joaquin Phoenix Shines & Empathy Flows In Mike Mills' Sublime, Micro-Traumatic Family Drama [Telluride Review]". theplaylist.net. Archived from the original on 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  7. ↑ "Jaboukie Young-White". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  8. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 19, 2019). "A24 Lands Joaquin Phoenix's First Post-'Joker' Role; Collaboration With Mike Mills Shoots This Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (October 11, 2019). "Exclusive: Gaby Hoffmann in Talks to Join Joaquin Phoenix in Mike Mills' A24 Drama". Collider. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  10. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (February 11, 2020). "A24 To Take Joaquin Phoenix's First Post-'Joker' Movie To Berlin's EFM, More Project Details Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Joaquin Phoenix & Mike Mills Untitled Drama Set To Begin Filming In November – Will Shoot In New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and New Orleans". Discussing Film. September 28, 2019. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Untitled Mike Mills Project". Production List. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Joaquin Phoenix gets back to work for the first time after Joker success". Metro. 8 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  14. ↑ "Cinematographer Robbie Ryan On "Privileged Space" Of 'Marriage Story' Set & Delivering Cinema Without Being Showy". Deadline. December 9, 2019. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  15. ↑ Feinberg, Scott (2021-09-05). "Telluride Awards Analysis: 'C'mon C'mon' a Fest Favorite, But Will It Register with Awards Voters?". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  16. ↑ "Molly Webster | WNYC Studios | Podcasts". WNYC Studios. Archived from the original on 2022-01-30. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  17. ↑ McCobb, Jeff (2021-11-24). "These Scenes In Joaquin Phoenix's C'mon C'mon Were Unscripted, So The Actor Improvised". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  18. ↑ "The National's Bryce and Aaron Dessner Detail C'mon C'mon Soundtrack, Share New Song". Pitchfork. 2021-11-05. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  19. ↑ "'C'mon C'mon' Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  20. ↑ Robinson, Ellie (2021-11-06). "The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner drop 'I Won't Remember?' from 'C'mon C'mon' soundtrack". NME. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  21. ↑ "Telluride Film Festival Program Guide" (PDF). Telluride Film Festival. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2021). "Telluride Film Festival: Will Smith's 'King Richard', Peter Dinklage Musical 'Cyrano', Joaquin Phoenix In 'C'mon C'mon', Ken Branagh's 'Belfast' Set To Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  23. ↑ "C'mon C'mon". Cinema Chicago. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  24. ↑ Hinkle, Annette (2021-09-15). "The Hamptons International Film Festival Announces 2021 Slate". The Sag Harbor Express. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  25. ↑ "C'mon C'Mon". Mill Valley Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  26. ↑ Pearce, Leonard (2021-08-19). "59th New York Film Festival Adds C'mon C'mon, Dune, Red Rocket, The French Dispatch & More". The Film Stage. Archived from the original on 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  27. ↑ Grater, Tom (2021-10-06). "Rome Film Festival To Fete Quentin Tarantino, Tim Burton; Chloe Zhao's 'Eternals' Set As Closing Film". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  28. ↑ "Gala Films". San Diego International Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  29. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 23, 2021). "A24 Sets Q4 Release Dates For Joaquin Phoenix Pic 'C'mon C'mon' & Sean Baker's 'Red Rocket'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  30. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 20, 2021). "'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Calls Up $44M Opening Weekend – Sunday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  31. ↑ Tom Brueggemann (November 21, 2021). "'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' $44 Million Opening Box Office Sets Up Sony to End the Year as a Star". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  32. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 28, 2021). "'Licorice Pizza' Delivers: Paul Thomas Anderson Pic's Opening Among Filmmaker's Best With Record Screen Average – Specialty Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 49". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  34. ↑ "C'mon C'mon (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  35. ↑ "C'mon C'mon Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  36. ↑ "EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021 WINNERS! – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2022". Camerimage. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  37. ↑ Sharf, Zack (October 21, 2021). "Gotham Awards 2021 Nominations: 'Pig,' 'Green Knight,' 'Passing' Compete for Best Feature". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Detroit Film Critics Society Announces 2021 Nominations". Hollywood Critics Association. December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  39. ↑ Eric, Anderson (December 4, 2021). "Washington DC Critics: 'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  40. ↑ Sharf, Zack (December 2, 2021). "National Board of Review Winners 2021: 'Licorice Pizza' Takes Best Picture and Best Director". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  41. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 7, 2022). "The 2021 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". NextBigPicture. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  42. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 4, 2022). "The 2021 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations". Next Big Picture. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  43. ↑ Grater, Tom (February 6, 2022). "'The Power Of The Dog' Tops London Critics' Circle Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  44. ↑ Long, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (December 14, 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022 Nominations (Updating Live)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  45. ↑ Ritman, Alex (February 3, 2022). "BAFTA Awards Nominations: Dune Leads Pack in Diverse List Full of Surprises". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  46. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 1, 2021). "'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead 26th Satellite Awards nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
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