I am recruiting you into the war to save good movies because one of the sweetest and most charming movies of the year is struggling to survive.
Set in the late 1950's and early 1960's, Madeline Carroll stars as Juli Baker - an emotional, smart girl who has been crushing on Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) ever since his family moved in across the street and she saw his baby blue eyes.
However, Juli has been chasing Bryce in vain for several years, and starts to realize her crush on him will never be returned, and, frankly, he's kind of a jerk who doesn't deserve her heart and soul. Of course, that's when Bryce starts to realize Juli is very special.
Has Juli gotten over her crush?
Set in the late 1950's and early 1960's, Madeline Carroll stars as Juli Baker - an emotional, smart girl who has been crushing on Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) ever since his family moved in across the street and she saw his baby blue eyes.
However, Juli has been chasing Bryce in vain for several years, and starts to realize her crush on him will never be returned, and, frankly, he's kind of a jerk who doesn't deserve her heart and soul. Of course, that's when Bryce starts to realize Juli is very special.
Has Juli gotten over her crush?
Has Bryce realized the awesomeness of Juli too late?
With Flipped, co-writer/director Rob Reiner proves he has still got it. With movies like When Harry Met Sally, The American President and The Princess Bride, Reiner has shown he can tell a good love story, but Flipped was a new challenge for him as the director needs to tackle young, new, first puppy love in a way that isn't condescending or dismissive, and does so brilliantly. Along with co-writer Andrew Scheinman (based on the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen), Juli and Bryce are real kids with real emotions that make us laugh, cry and feel the angst along with them.
Most of that is because we get to hear exactly what Juli and Bryce think of each situation. By showing us both sides of each story, Reiner and the team give the audience a chance to understand both kids, while still making the movie very straightforward and safe for almost the entire family.
However, the real reason to see Flipped is to watch Carroll. She gives our young heroine a firebreathing soul and an undying spirit, which shows she is a young actress to watch. We feel each exhilaration and heartbreak as the kid wears her heart on her sleeve. McAuliffe is not as wonderful, and Anthony Edwards overdoes it as the young boy's stiff, angry father, but John Mahoney saves the day as the man who should be America's grandpa.
I want you to get to the nearest movie theater before it is too late, and tell some friends.
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Flipped is rated PG for language and some thematic material.
With Flipped, co-writer/director Rob Reiner proves he has still got it. With movies like When Harry Met Sally, The American President and The Princess Bride, Reiner has shown he can tell a good love story, but Flipped was a new challenge for him as the director needs to tackle young, new, first puppy love in a way that isn't condescending or dismissive, and does so brilliantly. Along with co-writer Andrew Scheinman (based on the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen), Juli and Bryce are real kids with real emotions that make us laugh, cry and feel the angst along with them.
Most of that is because we get to hear exactly what Juli and Bryce think of each situation. By showing us both sides of each story, Reiner and the team give the audience a chance to understand both kids, while still making the movie very straightforward and safe for almost the entire family.
However, the real reason to see Flipped is to watch Carroll. She gives our young heroine a firebreathing soul and an undying spirit, which shows she is a young actress to watch. We feel each exhilaration and heartbreak as the kid wears her heart on her sleeve. McAuliffe is not as wonderful, and Anthony Edwards overdoes it as the young boy's stiff, angry father, but John Mahoney saves the day as the man who should be America's grandpa.
I want you to get to the nearest movie theater before it is too late, and tell some friends.
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Flipped is rated PG for language and some thematic material.
