R Marie
This film has beautiful performances and words - it's the moments that end up holding the most merit. Otherwise, a lot of it is lost on a practical level. For example, I didn't understand most of the characters' relationships on a completely literal level. How were Mary and her mother related to Cheyenne? What did Mary say in the first scene at the mall coffee shop? Between the unintelligible way they spoke and the (refreshing) non-expositional quality of the movie, you just have to take it as it comes. Much of the dialogue is poetic and nuanced, the performances from each actor are strong, and the photography is fun. I found it to be poetic and wonderful despite its befuddling aspects.
roy78
Forget about the low score this film received. If you are interested in complex characters, beautiful cinematography, wonderful performances and deep story telling this movie is for you. its a quest in America and a quest of a lost soul searching for purpose and answers in this "troubled and beautiful world of ours" as chayenne says. the combination of one of most talented directors of our time(sorentino) combined with one of the finest actors(penn)is nothing less than extraordinary. Penn manages to bring chayenne to life in ways that match his greatest performances ever. Combined with excellent soundtrack, wonderful scenery of American landscape and great supporting cast(Frances Mcdurmond, Harry dean stanton among others) "This must be the place" delivers bigtime. its not less of an achievement than sorentino's latest masterpeace "The Great Beauty".
rokr
From the trailer I expected an entertaining movie and a joy of observing another great Penn's performance. And I got way way more that this.I find it hard to pinpoint what this movie is about. For me it was about loneliness and emptiness, fear and courage, feeling lost and dealing with existential questions of life, about longing for meaning, love, acceptance, acknowledgment...And what might be the most important aspect is that the story is told in a gentle, warm way that makes the viewer feel included in the relations on the screen. While at the same time offering us visually enchanting and rhythmically impressive atmosphere, that just keeps resonating in the system...An unusual movie, well worth treating your eyes, mind and heart with.
Ben Larson
It's very difficult to get a handle on Sean Penn's aging rocker character. One thinks he has fried his brain. He speaks and acts slower than anyone I have ever seen. He looks the same as he did in the 80s, including makeup, but has lost interest in his music.Cheyenne (Penn) is married to Jane (Frances McDormand). They have been together for 35 years. Not only is this the opposite of what one would expect of a rock star, but she works as a firefighter. No, they are not broke, it's just what she does.The two of them are surrounded by some interesting characters in a film that moves at a snail's pace.You never really know where it is going, but at the end you realize that it was good for Cheyenne to get out of his world and grow up.
AD
