Plot Summary – Johnny is an emotionally stunted and softspoken radio journalist who travels the country interviewing a variety of kids about their thoughts concerning their world and their future. Then Johnny’s saddled with caring for his young nephew Jesse. Jesse brings a new perspective and, as they travel from state to state, effectively turns the emotional tables on Johnny.

★★★★★ 

Watched on 03 Dec 2021

Sometimes you watch a film and forget everything about the world around you, but sometimes you watch a film and it has you thinking about your life throughout, this is one of those kinds of movies. Every now and then, as a film fan, I grapple with how ‘pretentious’ I come off and I think loving this film as much as I did definitely puts me on that side of the spectrum, but just something about it resonated with me so much. I’m someone who comes from a really big family and as the oldest cousin, I’ve spent a lot of time caring for my little cousins. From 2011 to 2021, every year there’s been a baby in our family and I’m really glad that I have a close connection with every single one of those kids. That’s why when I saw this film, it hit me really hard because kids are the most beautiful things in the world. A lot of my friends don’t like little kids and the idea of children scares them but not me. They are these magical beings of pureness and innocence, when they smile upon seeing you, it’s not motivated by anything sinister, it’s just love. When they say you’re their favourite cousin or that you’re their best friend, in their minds they really mean it. They never have ‘ill-intentions’ or ulterior motives, they don’t say things to make you happy cause that never concerns them, they say things that they mean and that’s really reflected in this film. I usually don’t get personal or go off on tangents while reviewing films but I felt like this struck a chord deep inside me. The concept is so interesting and the way it explores the psyche and mind of children through the lens of adult relationships is so interesting. It shows how much we can learn from kids and how much that responsibility can shape you and define you. Technically, this is a really brilliant film as well. The choice to shoot in black and white is genius as it shows the perspective of a kid in this world, black and white, with a few shades of grey. It also gives the film this unique timelessness, this feels like it could have come out in the 70s if it weren’t for the occasional smartphone. Joaquin Phoenix is great but holy hell Woody Norman as the Jesse gives a brilliant performance. I did not know a 9-year-old could act so well and bring so much depth and heart into a character. He steals the show the entire time. The writing is also brilliant as it is interspersed with these real interviews of children from various backgrounds, and snippets from books and poems. This is a very unique film in everything that it does and it does everything brilliantly. It had so many moments where it could have ended as early as the 30-minute mark but it keeps going and for once, that’s not a complaint, and the actual ending is so beautiful, I just sat there in theatre completely spellbound and awe-struck. I was very very impressed by Cmon Cmon and I think anyone who’s in the mood for a contemplative yet inherently wholesome film should check it out.