Flipped is a great wholesome movie. It was truly marvelous. It tells the classic story of young love between a boy and a girl but in regard to film, it doesn’t tell it in the classical way. The movie is set in the fifties and takes us back to a time of the radio where stories were just told verbally. Flipped heavily relies on the great monologues of the main characters and uses the visuals to support that. It’s a movie that can be enjoyed by young and old and has a light enjoyable feeling even when dealing with difficult subjects.
Based on the novel of the same name by Wendelin Van Draanen, Flipped is the latest work from writer/director Rob Reiner (When Hally Met Sally…, A Few Good Men, The Bucket List). He knows how to tell a story, especially of this subject matter. With Flipped, you get both sides of the love story: from the point of view of the boy, Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe), and then it “flips” to the point of view of the girl, Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll). Sometimes you see the same scene twice but get to experience it a totally different way which adds another dimension to the story.
puppy love...
The movie chronicled this relationship (if you can call it that) between Bryce and Juli through years at school. You see them grow up, grow apart, then back together, etc. But between all that, you get to peer into their personal lives and hear what they’re thinking at such a young age. Juli has to go through an episode with the Earth’s most magnificent sycamore tree while Bryce tries to avoid Juli by courting another girl. They both have to deal with family issues which bring the light the serious messages from the movie…and there are quite a few. You don’t have to worry about too many curse words, but when it gets heated…the emotions come through the screen and they are powerful.
Juli Baker, her dad, and the Earth's most magnificent sycamore tree
On top of the back in forth of the relationship and inner thoughts of the main characters and their families, the movie introduces you to some interesting things that you may have never thought you’d see. You’re shown a closeup of a snake eating an egg as well as a look inside of an egg to see an embryo. There are deeper meanings for the adults, but for the kids it’s like seeing a couple science projects…I heard a few “woahs” and “wows” in my screening audience. The music they used for the picture also brought you back to the time where things were just a lot simpler and less hectic. The clothes, settings, and atmosphere all set the time and it was really put together well.
Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe) and Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll)
I really enjoyed Flipped. Mothers and daughters would have a blast seeing it together and I think most guys wouldn’t have a problem sitting through it either. It’s the type of movie that makes your heart smile and you can’t help yourself from at least grinning. The acting was superb, the writing was top notch, and the directing was beyond great. I don’t think I had a single problem with the whole movie. To describe this film in the words of fifties, I would have to say that it was really boss.
