C'mon C'mon 4K 2021

How do you imagine the future? Will your city or your family change? What will you remember forever, and what will be forgotten? What scares you? Do you feel lonely? What makes you happy?

Radio journalists traveling across the United States conduct interviews like these. They ask these questions to children of different races and ages.

One of these radio journalists is Johnny. He seems to have a knack for connecting with children, but not always. And together with Johnny, we’ll have to figure out our own feelings—not only toward children, but toward people in general.

The viewer gets to know Johnny through his memories of the past, his phone calls, and audio recordings. He has a sister, Viv, with whom he hasn’t spoken for a year since their mother’s death.

However, Viv is now facing health issues with her husband; she needs to leave urgently and asks Johnny for help. Viv has a son—a 9-year-old rascal named Jesse—whom Johnny is tasked with looking after.

So the two of them are left alone; they talk a lot, play, and fight. Johnny also teaches the boy how to use his audio equipment, and both begin to enjoy life. After a while, Johnny suggests that Jesse go with him to New York to conduct interviews with children together. The boy, of course, happily agrees.

As time goes on, they move from city to city, and their relationship—which was so friendly at first—quickly deteriorates. They don’t understand each other because they refuse to talk about their personal experiences and grievances. Jesse throws tantrums, trying to show that he’s unhappy. Johnny yells at him and can’t figure out what’s going on. And really, how can you take care of a child when you don’t understand much about yourself? The main plotline is built precisely on these emotional dialogues and monologues. Woven through it are the stories of the other children, in which they reflect on the present and the future.

It was just as interesting to listen to the children’s thoughts as it was to watch the lead acting duo. Joaquin Phoenix hasn’t been in a major film since *Joker*, so it was a pleasure to see him on screen again after such a long time. He perfectly conveyed his character’s mood and introspection. And the role of a melancholic, lonely radio journalist suits him very well.

Phoenix’s co-star was the young actor Woody Norman. He’s an incredibly charismatic kid. He was so convincing and natural in his role that at times he outshone his older co-star. Perhaps we have another rising star on our hands.

As for the film itself, it will appeal only to viewers who are used to a measured narrative and a lot of dialogue. This is exactly the kind of movie you have to listen to.