Being Flynn

This is like a realistic portrayal of father and son bonding movie. Except it goes a bit too realistic to make it moving or touching for that matter. I mean it's difficult to see how the bonding can be difficult if the father leaves the family for 18yr without any good reason. But there just wasn't enough intimate moments between the father and the son, maybe just one scene that stood out. And the father Jonathan Flynn(Rober De Niro) is a conceited and detestable guy, he is also a racist. Not a extreme one but still a racist. Anyways he is a failed writer that is fool of himself and has nothing else to do but look down upon society and the people. While his son(Paul Dano) who also wants to be a writer has his life spiraling downward because he feels like nothing and because of his past scars. So he decides to work in a homeless shelter where he meets his father. The movie however lacked the bonding elements and just has the two characters having different perspectives and living different lifestyles although they are both struggling. Like how one is a alcoholic and the other a drug addict. Despite their differences there is one intimate moment between them that really stands out. And it's a shame there isn't more of those scenes in this movie. Paul Dano is good but Robert De Niro is magnificent and he pulls off a character that is detestable but you can't have that much hatred for the guy. It's nice to see De Niro at the top of his game again but the movie as a whole just isn't all that good nor does it pull on the heartstrings all that much.

6/10

Being Flynn (2012)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Touching and mostly depressing film about a young man (Paul Dano) trying to make his way into life but things change when he sees his father (Robert DeNiro) staying at the homeless shelter he's working in. The father and son haven't seen each other in nearly twenty-years but soon the son starts to realize that this might have been a good thing. I really wasn't sure what to expect going into BEING FLYNN but I came out extremely impressed and I honestly can't remember the last time I watched a current movie and felt more for the characters involved. Not only do we have the father and son relationship but there's also the flashbacks with the mother (Julianne Moore), the son's relationship with a co-worker (Olivia Thirlby) and other small characters that we meet. The amazing thing is that the screenplay makes you feel for each of them with all their problems. I think one of the greatest assets is of course the performances with DeNiro leading the way. It seems over the past decade "film buffs" have complained about the type of roles that the actor has been taken. Of course, whenever he does turn in quality work like here or in EVERYBODY'S FINE, no one goes and sees the film, which is a real shame as both offer the actor at the top of his game. The character he plays here is at times funny, at times hateful and there are times where you don't want to see him again. The character is a racist, sexist and there's no question that he's a drunk, a deadbeat father and a crazy person. The way DeNiro plays all of this is pure perfection and shows that the actor still has that magic. The way DeNiro not only delivers the lines but also watch the small things he does with the look of the character, the way he moves and even the expressions he gives. Dano stands right up there with him and the two characters are so different that they're both able to stand strong against each other. I was also impressed with Moore, although she doesn't appear in too many scenes. Thirlby is also lovely in her part of the girlfriend and I thought she nearly stole every scene in which she appeared. The appeal of BEING FLYNN is going to be small, I mean, after all this is a depressing, raw and open look at relationships and bad ones at that. The film isn't always easy to watch but the characters are so full and you want to love them so much that it's easy to be drawn into the story. BEING FLYNN is certainly a special little gem and best of all is that it features DeNiro at the top of his game.

"Being Flynn" is an awkward, semi-detached autobiographical movie based on the memoirs of Nick Flynn written down in his acclaimed book "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City". Nick Flynn (played with true zest by rising quality actor Paul Dano) recaps a period of his life, when still uncertain of having any publishing future encourages him to take up a temporary post at a homeless shelter in Boston. Once there he comes across his estranged and increasingly manic father (a masterful return by Robert De Niro), a self-proclaimed classic writer, who approaches the facility after losing his apartment and livelihood in the form of a taxi business. Left during childhood Nick feels a need for attachment, but simultaneously cannot garner to trust the unfatherly figure. Instead this enhances memories of his mother (played by Julianne Moore), who worked two jobs in an attempt to raise him as a single mother, until finally committing suicide. The situation forces a collision in an extreme situation, as Flynn's father falls from grace with Nick reluctant to help pick up the pieces.

A somewhat surprising entry by Paul Weitz, probably best known for being the culprit behind the "American Pie" franchise. Rarely comedic, instead it dabbles in the underbelly of both society and family life, engaging throughout mostly due to the terrific performances by its lead cast. The drama lingers creating atmospheric tension between the two main characters, so even if the movie fails to convey a powerful story and has its moments of prolonged lack of direction, the end result brings about a realistic dark portrait. Somewhat depressing in tone "Being Flynn" above all marks a return to greatness by De Niro and a further marked rise as a future great actor by Paul Dano. Despite some script frailties and occasional incapability for dramatic direction by Weitz, it is still a worthwhile watch and at least a very intriguing character study about generational relations.

If you're looking for a light drama or comedy, don't choose Being Flynn. But if you want to see the masterful acting of Robert DeNiro and Paul Dano, and you're up for serious subject matter, this is an outstanding film. The script does not sugar-coat any aspects of addiction or homelessness. It tells it like it is. The key characters are multi-dimensional, and I found myself rooting for them at times and wanting to kick their butts at other times. Besides the obvious subject matter of addiction and homelessness, the film also address the challenges we all have dealing with whether we are or are not our parents -- or at least looking at parts of ourselves we don't like that we also don't like in our parents. And the feelings of guilt and shame experience by Nick over the death of his mother are palpable.

The only thing I found disconcerting was that fact that it was supposed to be set in Boston and, with the exception of one recognizable Boston location, it was so obviously filmed in New York.

Most people are unaware that some of the best performances actors deliver are in the smaller budgeted lesser seen films. Being Flynn is one of those that got limited release and was getting some good reviews, but kind of just came out of nowhere. Sporting a great cast including Paul Dano, Robert DeNiro, and Julianne Moore, could this be another of those rare gems that get lost on the shelf or will it be one that's clear to why it got such a limited release.

Being Flynn follows a father and son who haven't been in contact with each other in years. When the father reaches out to his son, he realizes he cannot outrun his fate and realizes that he has the chance to make a life for himself as well as for his father. This drama is filled with some interesting characters and great performances, most notably DeNiro who seems to be letting it all out in one of his strongest performances in some time. Paul Dano does a great job carrying his own weight alongside DeNiro playing off of each other to bring this troubled relationship to life. The story takes a deeper than expected journey into human emotion and the thin line of genius and madness. Everyone gives great performances delivering a powerful film that works really well. The biggest issue is the pacing. At times it comes off as really slow and long, and others will keep you interested. With an emotional film like this it's important to maintain a sense of cohesion so the heavier moments don't get lost in a sea of useless moments. That's not necessarily the case here; it just runs a bit longer than it feels it needed too.

While not a film that will really deliver anything all that new, it does sport a great performance from DeNiro that is worth checking out. This film does sport some drug use and racist moments that while nothing you haven't seen are necessary due to the direction of the film. If you decide to give this film a shot, just make sure you are prepared for some heavy content.

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