Review of Flipped (2010) by Kalel J — 05 Jan 2011

Tender, earthly, and full of youthful innocence; Flipped is a film that conveys childhood confusion and growth with a soft beauty. There is a running sweetness throughout Flipped that makes it a charming and thoroughly absorbing affair with an astonishing cast that holds a determined edge on maturity. Madeline Carroll is a bright, intelligent, and interesting lead in Juli - the unique girl that is ahead of her years. Carroll displays these qualities with aplomb; she contends with her adult peers and sets herself apart as a talent to be watched.

Her counterpart is Callan McAuliffe in no less impressive. As a young boy learning from his mistakes, McAuliffe has given his character a steady ground and an inviting understanding. It could have been a difficult character to nail, but the young actor has given his '50's period child a magnetic quality that makes the audience want him to succeed.

Unfortunately though, for such an impressive film with a talented young lineup, it is a single short performance from Kevin Weisman that greatly detracts. His cliche' ridden mumblings pull out from an otherwise rounded piece, and needs to be noted as a rare mistep for this film.

Flipped is an understated stroke of mastery from Rob Reiner that deserves a solid audience. It's a sweet look at young life in the making, and is executed with an eye for wonder and hope that it should prove to stir a nostalgic stream of emotions in its viewers.