Naturalistic and beautifully orchestrated - not the soundtrack (which certainly isn't bad) but the performances, writing, editing, how it was filmed, and its overall expression. Every moment matters and is expertly designed and portrayed. I felt this was one of the most tender and touching films I have seen in a long time, stoking my empathy with precision while never being overbearing or exploitative. This was precision of craft married with the most earnestly earned poignancy producing one of the greatest movies of the year.
Joaquin Phoenix is one of our preeminent actors and he brings a fragile candor and acute believable sympathetic communion. Not a single moment rings false and I can’t imagine not utterly losing myself alongside each of his foibles and triumphs. Gaby Hoffmann is evocative and so desperately expressive with her struggles, deep seated pains, and unenviable difficulties parenting. She was very strong.
I loved this film and I think it is Mills’ masterwork. The layout of the film and story, having Phoenix’s character’s job as an NPR-esque traveling interviewer talking with children being juxtaposed and intertwining with the main interplay with his nephew - its lyrical and insightful in an astute way. This is married to the potent direction and clever editing; it all worked to such a high degree. SEE THIS FILM!