Review: Somewhere (15)***

While it affords you greater opportunities, it can also create unreasonably high expectations that set you up for the inevitable fall from grace.

In 2003, writer-director Sofia Coppola was the toast of Tinseltown for her bittersweet romance Lost in Translation.

Three years later, the adulation turned to boos at the Cannes Film Festival when the local audience reacted angrily

to her visually dazzling portrait of Marie Antoinette.

For her fourth feature, Coppola touches on some of the same themes as Lost in Translation, exploring the internal strife of a Hollywood actor who is caught off-guard by a surprise visit from his 11-year-old daughter.

Film star Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) has taken up permanent residence in room 59 of the Chateau Marmont hotel and breaks up the tedium of his days off set by going for a drive in his black Ferrari. A private performance from pole-dancing twins sends him to sleep rather than arousing his ardour and he has to use a wooden step for a photo shoot with a statuesque co-star (Michelle Monaghan).

Out of the blue, Johnny's old flame dumps their daughter Clio (Elle Fanning) at his door, just as he is poised to leave for Milan to accept an award. As he spends time with the youngster, Johnny realises the emotional vacuum in his so-called life.

Somewhere is a gently paced snapshot of life in celebrity-obsessed Los Angeles that proves Dorff is a compelling screen presence, given the right material.

Screen chemistry with Fanning is convincing and there are some amusing and tender interludes. Johnny's disconnect from reality sometimes stretches credibility, like when he asks Clio about the book she's reading.

"It's about this girl and she's in love with this guy. And

he's a vampire... his whole family are vampires," she responds, mystified like us that a star in the Hollywood firmament hasn't heard of Twilight.

Coppola attempts another heart-rending farewell, similar to Lost in Translation, and almost pulls it off.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.