Mike Mills delivers another deeply humanistic and meditative work with this offbeat film about a journalist who interviews children in major US cities and suddenly finds himself taking his nephew in toe while his sister grapples with the challenges of her disturbed husband. Along the way, his nephew asks more than his share of challenging questions.
Performances here are piercingly accurate. Joaquin Phoenix is excellent as usual as the middle-aged protagonist who suddenly sees the world and his own life through the eyes of his wide-eyed nephew. Gaby Hoffman is persuasive as the boy's exhausted, long-suffering mother. And finally, Woody Norman is a joy to watch as the boisterous but inquisitive 9-year old Jesse who flips the script on his uncle's humdrum life.
The only major criticism of this film would be its final stretch which takes a while to conclude. However, Mills draws us in and knows how to delve into his characters' lives in a whimsical and incisive manner, allowing us to get to know them in a way that feels natural and intimate. Excerpts from the interviews add another dimension of perception of life through the eyes of adolescents. Overall, a movie for everyone who likes to think about life's challenges and perspectives, which change over time. This is kind of a reflection journey. Solid and recommended.
Performances here are piercingly accurate. Joaquin Phoenix is excellent as usual as the middle-aged protagonist who suddenly sees the world and his own life through the eyes of his wide-eyed nephew. Gaby Hoffman is persuasive as the boy's exhausted, long-suffering mother. And finally, Woody Norman is a joy to watch as the boisterous but inquisitive 9-year old Jesse who flips the script on his uncle's humdrum life.
The only major criticism of this film would be its final stretch which takes a while to conclude. However, Mills draws us in and knows how to delve into his characters' lives in a whimsical and incisive manner, allowing us to get to know them in a way that feels natural and intimate. Excerpts from the interviews add another dimension of perception of life through the eyes of adolescents. Overall, a movie for everyone who likes to think about life's challenges and perspectives, which change over time. This is kind of a reflection journey. Solid and recommended.