After not hearing too much about the film except the cast and filmmaker involved, with today’s NYFF Spotlight announcement, we got our first real look at “C’mon C’mon,” including a new image and a detailed synopsis of the feature.
For those that haven’t been following along, a lot of buzz surrounds the new film from Mike Mills. Not only is it the first feature from Mills since 2016’s “20th Century Women,” but it’s also the first post-“Joker” project for Joaquin Phoenix. In addition to “20th Century Women,” which earned MIlls a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination, the filmmaker is also known for features such as “Beginners” and “Thumbsucker.” Considering those three films are the only features Mike Mills has made since 2005, it’s almost a celebration when a new one comes along.
According to the detailed synopsis (which can be read below), “C’mon C’mon” tells the story of a journalist (Phoenix) that finds himself taking care of his young nephew as he travels across the country doing interviews for a news piece. And as you might expect, the duo develops a special bond as they experience life together on the road. Joining Phoenix in the cast are Gaby Hoffmann, comedian/Twitter sensation Jaboukie Young-White, and newcomer, Woody Norman.
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A24 has yet to announce a release date for “C’mon C’mon” to hit theaters after it does its festival appearances, including NYFF. However, considering those folks involved, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the film debut in prime Oscar season.
Here’s the full description of the film, and the first-look photo, from the NYFF announcement:
After gracing audiences with Beginners and 20th Century Women (NYFF54), writer-director Mike Mills returns with another warm, insightful, and gratifyingly askew portrait of American family life. A soulful Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a kindhearted radio journalist deep into a project in which he interviews children across the U.S. about our world’s uncertain future. His sister, Viv (a marvelously intuitive Gaby Hoffmann), asks him to watch her 8-year-old son, Jesse (Woody Norman, in one of the most affecting breakout child performances in years), while she tends to the child’s father, who’s suffering from mental health issues. After agreeing, Johnny finds himself connecting with his nephew in ways he hadn’t expected, ultimately taking Jesse with him on a journey from Los Angeles to New York to New Orleans. Anchored by three remarkable actors, C’mon C’mon is a gentle yet impeccably crafted drama about coming to terms with personal trauma and historical legacies. An A24 release.
