Johnny (Joaquin Phoenix) and his young nephew (Woody Norman) forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they are unexpectedly thrown together in this delicate and deeply moving story about the connections between adults and children, the past and the future, from writer-director Mike Mills (20th Century Women). In this film full of people hesitant to open themselves up, acceptance becomes a naked plea that demands to be made every day. The tone never defines the stakes in such grave terms, but that’s the key to the potency of Mills’ cinema: life’s pivotal turns come in idle moments, from inconspicuous sources. All it takes is the willingness to listen.

“A tremendous showing from Joaquin Phoenix, operating at a register he’s rarely found before. It’s a career best for him – lovely, empathetic, humane.”—New York Magazine