Somewhere, somewhere....

Somewhere is a 2010 drama film directed by Sofia Coppola, which follows a famous actor, staying at the Chateau Marmont recovering from a broken wrist. The actor, Johnny Marco is forced to promote a new movie, and he feels as though his life is meaningless, whilst staying at the hotel, he goes through an existential crisis, feeling that life is hollow and pointless. Marcos peaceful stay is abruptly disturbed by the arrival of his daughter. A trip to Milan for a film festival underlines his loneliness, and Marco begins to question the meaning of his success.

The film is set at the legendary Chateau Marmont, a famous hotel in Los Angeles, and Coppola was inspired by trips to the hotel with her father, and the feeling of detachment the fantasy of the Chateau brings. The hotel represents a paradox, in that for many outsiders, it is a paradise of luxury and decadence, and yet for Marco, it represents a lonely, disconnected web of corridors and rooms, where he feels more introspective than gratified. The Chateau Marmont is emblematic of Hollywood, an impenetrable fortress for many outsiders, into which it is so hard to be accepted, but the view from the inside is often shallow and unsatisfying.

One of the main themes of the film, like many of Coppola's other films is that of ennui, here celebrity languor is explored, Johnny Marco is successful and accomplished, however he feels like none of it is meaningful, celebrities are often people who are idolized and worshiped, but Coppola paints an unflattering portrait of life behind the curtain of fame, Marco is shown hiring twin strippers to dance for him, having gratuitous sex with women, taking pills and drinking. All these exploits are unsatisfying to him, and he gleans no pleasure from them. Fame is expected to fix ones problems, but Marco is unhappy despite all his alleged success, and his self imposed seclusion is emblematic ohis depression

The films stars Stephen Dorff as Marco, a newly famous actor going through an existential crisis, struggling to deal with his fame and his otherwise broken life. Elle Fanning plays his daughter, Cleo, from his failed marriage. Her arrival forces Marco to change his lifestyle, and as their time together grows he comes to realize the importance of fatherhood, he sees how all the hedonistic pleasures that were supposed to bring him happiness failed, and that it is his daughter who allows him to see what is important in life. The film was all shot on location at the Chateau Marmont, and the film itself is beautiful, shot in a Kubrick inspired almost documentary style like it's predecessor, Marie Antoinette This style shows a cold detachment from its subject, almost a disinterest. Somewhere is a stylish and beautiful ode to fame and loneliness. Rating: A-

Cleo: Why are you taking a bath next door? Is yours broken?