“This Must Be the Place” charms

By Isaac Siegemund-Broka
Arts Editor

Who knew lipstick and black clothes would be a good look for Sean Penn? Against all odds, Penn pulls off a Goth rock aesthetic in “This Must Be the Place.”

Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, “This Must Be the Place” is a thematic masterpiece guided by Penn’s brilliant acting, beautiful cinematography and a script as droll as it is perplexing.

“This Must Be the Place” chronicles the self-discovery of Cheyenne (Sean Penn), a washed-up Goth rock icon. Cheyenne has unresolved issues with his Jewish father, who never loved him after he joined the Goth subculture.

After his father’s death, Cheyenne learns his father had spent the last few decades tracking SS Officer Aloise Lange (Heinz Lieven), the Nazi who humiliated Cheyenne’s father when he was at Auschwitz. Cheyenne takes up the quest in finding Lange.

Sean Penn brilliantly executes the role of Cheyenne, whose awkwardly reserved attempts to be liked are simultaneously charming and sad. His laugh sounds more like a whimper, and most of his lines are uttered in a high whisper, as though he is afraid to be fully present in the world.

Sorrentino and Umberto Contarello’s screenplay is hilarious in its absurd complexity. They subtly break down the notion of “home” while exploring the relationship between individuals and families. The narrative is dense with symbolic interludes, such as the spontaneous combustion of Cheyenne’s truck,
which leaves the viewer pondering the chaotic, inexplicable nature of the world.

The film’s title is a reference to Talking Heads’ song “This Must Be the Place,” which is featured briefly in the movie. David Byrne, Talking Heads’ frontman, has a minor acting role and also composed the film’s excellent score, which mixes rock tracks with discordant orchestral tidbits to mimic the tension that permeates Cheyenne’s life.

“This Must Be the Place” is not a simple movie by any means, but its ridiculousness keeps the thematic density from ever getting dull or depressing. “This Must Be the Place” is rated R and is playing at select theaters.