Flipped (2010– 90mins) M. Carroll, C. McAuliffe

Flipped is a cute coming of age family movie. It takes place in the 1960’s and has that easy going tone of “Stand by Me” or “A Christmas Story”. As  a film it does well getting away from heavy conflict and just gives us various stories from the growing up of two kids, Bryce and Juli. Ever since they first met Juli has had a certain crush on the new kid on the block Bryce. Yet, he hasn’t quite found out that he too really does like her too, until the day he “flips”. The unique thing about this film is we get every scene/story from the perspective of both kids one after another. It’s a cute way to see how the other sex as a child looks at the same exact situation, especially being unsure of their real feelings and going through all sorts of changes in childhood.

There’s not big bad, no mcguffin, and no body to find, but it still endears itself as a sweet movie that’s easy to watch. The children are excellent in their roles and overall it looks like an authentic view of growing up in the 60’s (not that I would know but hey I bought it). We also get some good performances by Aidan Quinn and Anthony Edwards. They play the relative polar opposites as fathers of each of the children. Quin is the liberal art loving father of Juli who’s life has revolved around taking care of his mentally handicapped brother. Edwards plays Bryce’s conservative father who has become a shell of his former self and not loving life any more, as he has become numb to it all in trying to provide for his family and stay PC for all too long. It’s also a subtle undertone of two kids from opposite sides of the track and a whole opposites attract thing as well.

Verdict–> All undertones and life lessons aside it’s a good movie. I loved the way they show each scene from both children’s point of view, I thought that was a great touch. I recommend this movie as both a good family movie or a movie for anyone who is saturated by the summer blockbuster season and just wants to sit back with a relaxing mindless flashback type movie. Family wise I would think that 8+ years old is possibly a good range.

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