Review of Being Flynn (2012) by Fdt44 — 03 Mar 2012

In a real-life memoir called "Another Bulls_ _t Night in Suck City," by also real-life Nick Flynn (played by Dano), a playwright and poet, he describes the reunion with his long-absent and eccentric writer and father Jonathon Flynn (played by DeNiro) at a homeless shelter, of which son Nick had voluntarily worked during the 1980's.

Adapting such a premise into a film is filmmaker Paul Weitz, who for the last seven years has been working to capture the father and son relationship of the Flynn's, as portrayed in the film, "Being Flynn.

" Through the course of the film, the viewer is also introduced to Mrs. Flynn (played by Moore), who committed suicide when her son, Nick, was 22 years old. She is pictured throughout in extending flashbacks, primarily shown with her "then-child" son Nick.

Also, shown, is Nick's semi-involved, vaguely determined girlfriend (played by Thirlby), who serves as the support for Nick during his down-ward spiral. These are the main characters. Father Jonathon, though, much ado to DeNiro, is the main emphasis of the film.

Suffering from an extensive bout with alcoholism, and having served time in prison for writing bad checks, Jonathon's pent-up rage boils inside of him, and readily shown by the acting prowess of DeNiro who has finally messaged to audiences that "He's back.

" However, there is something about DeNiro's playing of down-and-out long-shots rising up from adversary that suits him in this bio-pic role. Notwithstanding his own "comeback" from histrionics, as shown in the past decade, one can't help but link DeNiro's delineation of Jonathon Flynn as perceptibly and eerily similar to his classic performance of "Taxi Driver," some thirty-plus years ago.

This is so for a few, yet intentionally done, reasons. One, Jonathon works as a taxi-driver, and later his torn self is shown in front of a mirror; you'll know what I'm talking about. Although this isn't the first time DeNiro has denounced his infamous moving roles in the past (see "Little Fockers" and "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle," to name a couple) I will admit, a special resonance of nostalgia and movie history is brought to life again, this time from an aging DeNiro.

So, it is good to see him back onboard. As for Dano, he shows signs of letting loose, much like his to-to-toeing with Daniel Day Lewis in "There Will Be Blood," however, his sullen, nonplused brow and merose eyes are seen as indications of overacting, and become bemuddled, in terms of drawing a resemblance to the real-life Nick.

Having read Nick Flynn's memoir, I can confirm that Dano does have moments with showing a similar sense of loss as felt through real-life Flynn's words, especially in his drug use, but he almost looks and feels distracted.

Put differently, Dano can't quite match DeNiro's redemptive role in firepower; instead, he feels weary and too-defeated. As for Moore, she hands in a safe, unrestrained role as the non-present mother, but the flashbacks simply don't give her enough "life" to be considered commendable in her role.

As for Thirlby, she, too, shows signs, like Dano, of breaking loose, but by no fault of her own, Weitz doesn't give her the aid to render a memorable performance; she's a mere fill-in to bolster Dano.

The film, as a whole is not bad, though, is doesn't quite feel as if Weitz knows what he wants to do with his convincing leads. He shows DeNiro trickling into despair, but doesn't know how far to let him drop before he ascends back up to shape.

And, more specifically, Weitz shows a DeNiro, sleeping on public benches and such, however, on a whim, shows him hearty and sane as ever. Then, just as easily, shows DeNiro imitating almost Greek oracle, versing words to the heavens, and displaying his loss with reality.

The extremes are flunctuated too frequently. Moreover, I find Weitz's extensive research with the real-life figures of the film plaudable, as he obviously taps into DeNiro's adroitness, and will to act again, however his diluted narration and uneven balance leaves more to be desired.

Overall, "Being Flynn," is a worthwhile drama that not all will enjoy, but many can find elements of which to relate.