Flipped

Deb 8 Me 9

My motivation to see this was simply that it was a Rob Reiner film and rated PG. He usually makes terrific movies so it seemed like a safe bet. I was a little surprised to see all the people in the theater, most of the movies we see we are among an esoteric few who are willing to bet their two hours on little movie. But this is Rob Reiner, a lot of people showed up.

The movie is set in the late fifties, early sixties, the main people are about my brother’s age, so I have no trouble dialing in to the references presented here. It’s got a lot of narrative, sometimes that works and sometimes not, here it seemed a pretty essential part of telling the story.

This is not an action movie. It’s a story movie and with the narrative, it moves along at the pace of reading a story, not a lot of propulsion. This was fine with me, it was a good story, tight and well paced, and it didn’t need any more than what it gave you. The casting was good, they picked capable players who aren’t over used, in fact I haven’t seen some of them in decades. A lot of times big stars have signature moments, and you wait for the time when they become the actor instead of the charachter, and it distracts from the story. These are good performances. There were a couple goofs, and I think they were actual decisions to help make the movie more accessible to modern audiences, and not too big ‘o deal. The trailer plays Good Lovin’ by the Rascals, it was recorded years after the film’s setting and totally in appropriate because of its timing, but was fortunately not used in the movie. The soundtrack they did use was pretty great.

This is a sweet little coming of age tale, seen through the perspective of two evolving young people. There was a Juno-like person who was always interesting, smart and full of steam. It kept me involved all the way through. My mind wasn’t wandering around, wondering what was next or why they did this or that. In fact there are a few unanswered questions, but since it’s seen through the kid’s eyes, kids wouldn’t have known the answers.

I just really liked it. When it was done I thought, why don’t they make more movies like this? I’d go every day.