Flora and Son

Brilliant, really enjoyable.

I love Sundance Film Festival! As a fan of Sing Street, I was excited when I saw that John Carney's latest film was playing in Park City. The experience of watching the film with the director and cast in the room was phenomenal. Carney is a masterful writer/director, and I am continually drawn to his storytelling. The performances in the film were equally strong with Eve Hewson crushing her role and forming a chemistry-fueled bond with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It's hard to separate the film from the experience. The finale was a little jumbled and lacked closure in certain aspects. During the Q&A, Carney said that this film was a dedication to mothers (similar to how Sing Street was "for brothers everywhere"). Knowing that, my perception of the film's ending changed. The music was not as strong as his previous films, but it was still a solid movie. Best Character: Flora Best Scene: Rooftop Duet Additional Note: I wish that I could download the songs and listen already, but that will have to wait until the film is released.

Apart from some excellent sequences between Hewson and Kinlan, this film is an absolute cheese fest best suited for the Hallmark Channel. Shocked by the positive reviews.

Another gem from John Carney, possibly his finest yet. If you are familiar with his movies you'll know the deal, real life, dreams, crushing reality, self discovery, epiphany moments and most of all it's all about the music. There is a danger with these themes of being too saccharine and schmaltzy but he escapes these traps with endearing characters who you want to succeed with their choices especially when the world seems to be against them. Eve Hewson provides plenty of sass delivering some classic lines with sardonic wit and unflinching honesty. Some of the dialogue between Jeff (her transatlantic hunky guitar teacher) and Flora has you laughing and cringing in equal measure. The Irish street scenes are a joy as ever certainly rivalling Sing Street. A triumph for music and humanity.

3.75. Carney excels at sweet mostly-feel-good comedies with music at the center.

Brilliant movie. Very enjoyable watch. Super acting.

Good character driven movie. A feel-good movie that is worth the watch. Eve Hewson was excellent in the lead role.

Another very enjoyable movie by John Carney. More gritty than others (and more than I like) but it really works.

Flora and Son is pretty rough around the edges, with the persistent harsh language and initially unpleasant characters, but there's a warm heart at the center of this movie. It's a story about the healing power of music and how it can bring people together. I was particularly impressed with Eve Hewson, who gives a performance that is quite off-putting at first, but eventually wins you over. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt is likeable, as per usual. While I don't think the songs are as catchy as the ones from Sing Street, I do think John Carney has created another impressive non-musical musical movie.

It's hard to tell a wholesome story mixed with unwholesome language and innuendo. This movie did a good job of mixing the two. Kinda like a not quite as good Little Miss Sunshine, still a decent watch.