Review of Flipped (2010) by Epi L — 26 Feb 2011

From the guy who directed "Stand By Me" and "A Few Good Men", I would have expected something more empathetic and understanding towards its characters, something even containing far less loopholes.

Using He-said/She-said narration from the two lead characters (reminiscent of the storytelling method used in "Goodfellas"), "Flipped" tells the story of a young girl and boy and their uneven relationship over the next several years of their pre-teen lives.

Bryce and his family are new to the neighborhood, and as they are moving in, catches the eye of the little girl across the street named Julianna, who immediately becomes smitten with her new neighbor.

I really wanted to like this film, but although Reiner wants to portray the relationship between Bryce and Julianna as "puppy love", it just comes out more as something uncomfortable, even painful to watch as the young boy continuously, albeit unintentionally, hurts the young girl that yearns for his love.

The viewer is soon left wondering if Bryce may grow up to be some sort of a stalker or control-freak and we begin to root for Julianna to drop him and look for someone better -- something the film's producers and director didn't intend to happen.

With many if the characters never fully realized, "Flipped" borders, even succeeds in some circles as being lazy entertainment -- Bryce's father, played by an unlikable Anthony Edwards comes off as a bigoted alcoholic who looks down on the less fortunate. Close to the end, his exterior begins to chip as we soon discover what might be dwelling inside that causes him to act this way, but Reiner refuses to dig any deeper and cuts away from this little story arc in favor of searching for happiness for the two pre-teens.

Julianna's family also suffers from Reiner's short-sidedness -- her father, played by Aiden Quinn (who does as much as he can with the role) and mother, played by a nearly unrecognizable (and miscast) Penelope Ann Miller, suffer from so many financial problems, we never know enough about them to care if they ever climb out of the hole they're in.

Even the key factor to Quinn's character's financial woes is briefly discussed, even explained. But once again, is soon dropped from the storyline altogether.

The only shining light to this film is John Mahoney, playing Bryce's grandfather. Bringing depth, understanding, and common sense to all of these flawed characterizations, he is a welcomed addition to the cast, yet a character that isn't on-screen as much as he should be.

With a sudden and somewhat downbeat ending that calls into question the future of all of their lives, "Flipped" needed at least another 20 minutes to its hour and a half running time to clear up the loose ends. Are we talking a sequel? Highly doubtful.