‘C’mon’ offers compelling delve into bipolar disorder

‘C’mon’ offers compelling delve into bipolar disorder

‘C’mon’ offers compelling delve into bipolar disorder
Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny in Mike Mills’ latest film, ‘C’mon, C’mon,’ which focuses on bipolar disorder.

Berkeley native Mike Mills likes to dig deep into family drama for his films.

From cancer in “Beginners,” to free-love mothering in “20th Century Women” to the title affliction in “Thumbsucker,” Mills is not one to shy away from strange or difficult topics. In his latest, “C’mon C’mon,” Mills explores the effects a 9-year-old boy’s bipolar disorder has on his family.

Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a radio journalist whose current assignment involves interviewing children of immigrants about how they view the world. It’s been over a year since his mom died, and he finally breaks a painful silence with his sister. The flashbacks to their care for their mom hit close to home. Going through that a couple years ago with my own mom, I know that it can bring siblings closer together, but it might also drive a wedge.

Gaby Hoffmann dials in parental exhaustion perfectly as Johnny’s sister, Viv. Scoot McNairy has a brief, but memorable role as Viv’s bipolar husband, Paul. He has just moved from L.A. to Oakland to further his music career, but his affliction has been getting the better of him. Viv needs to go convince her husband to get help, but must find care for her son, Jesse.

Pretending to be an orphan

Johnny has been out of his nephew’s life for a while and has no experience dealing with all of Jesse’s idiosyncrasies. Jesse has a habit of pretending to be an orphan and will only engage if Johnny plays along. At first, Johnny has a hard time accepting Jesse’s normal. Phoenix does an admirable job demonstrating exasperation. Eventually, Jesse warms to Johnny and they fill a hole in each other’s lives.

At only 11 years old, Woody Norman is exemplary as Jesse. He makes the audience truly feel the dichotomous nature of Jesse’s personality.

Equally impressive is that Norman sheds his native British accent to do so.

One of the best parts of the film is the interviews of what appear to be non-actor children. Their responses are poignant and pointed: “Hear me, see me, do not ignore me” is their urgent message to the adults of the world. I would like to listen to the finished product of Johnny’s interview project.

“C’mon C’mon” is worth your time.

Fall TV

Baptiste. (Masterpiece PBS) The second season is just as explosive as the first as Baptiste must find the missing sons of a determined English ambassador. This time, they use the powder keg that is modern-day Hungary as a backdrop. Who would have thought a secondary character from the show “The Missing” would make for such a compelling watch on his own?

Dexter: New Blood. (Showtime) A couple episodes in and it feels like we never left our favorite mass murderer. Unhappy as we all were with the abominable series finale from 2013, the original creators have returned to right the wrongs. So far, so good.

La Brea (NBC/Peacock) and “Chucky” (USA/Syfy/Peacock). Just plain dumb fun.

Jeff Mellinger

Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord.

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