Iffy for 16+
Uneven, mature drama is too edgy for younger kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Being Flynn is based on Nick Flynn's memoir Another Bulls--t Night in Suck City and is a complicated, mature story about a father and son reunited under difficult circumstances. Much of the drama's material is weighty, including discussions about, and depictions of, homelessness, family estrangement, abandonment, jail time, and parental suicide, and may be too heavy for younger teens. Expect plenty of swearing (including "f--k," "s--t," and more) and sexual innuendoes, as well as some relatively tame sex scenes (groping, kissing, but no graphic nudity). One scene does show a naked male butt, and there's quite a bit of drinking (sometimes to excess) and drug use, including both pot and crack. Underneath it all, though, is a message of redemption.
- Families can talk about Being Flynn's messages. Is it a positive story overall, or a negative one? Can Nick forgive his father?
- The movie is based on a memoir; how accurate do you think it is to what happened to the writer in real life? Why might filmmakers (or the author himself, for that matter) have changed facts to tell the story?
- How does Being Flynn compare to other movies in which parents reunite with their children? Does it add anything new to the genre?
The good stuff
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Messages: Amid Being Flynn's heavy themes (homelessness, family estrangement, abandonment, suicide) is the message that redemption is always possible, and forgiveness -- of yourself and others -- will help take you there.
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Role models: The characters have both flaws and assets. Nick, especially, is in turmoil. But he's gifted with deep empathy, which helps him on his personal journey. He's kind and forgiving and open to change. He's also blessed with friends who support him at his most difficult times.
What to watch for
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Violence: Jonathan has a mean streak. He brandishes a bat that he uses as a weapon and airs his prejudices in aggressive ways. He gets in fights -- mostly off-camera -- and the battle scars are sometimes visible. He also witnesses a homeless man beaten up by a group of teens. There's a brief scene in which a dead, bloodied body is displayed in front of a building. Suicide is a theme of the movie.
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Sex: A couple makes out and winds up in bed (viewers mostly see the initial groping and kissing). Another couple is shown having sex, but there's no graphic nudity. A man's backside is visible while bathing.
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Language: Fairly frequent use of words including "f--k," "s--t," "ass," "damn," and more.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters are shown drinking beer and hard liquor, sometimes to excess. A man sneaks vodka into his orange juice just before he drives a taxi; as the movie progresses, he consumes more and more vodka. Another character smokes pot and graduates to harder drugs, including crack, which he's shown smoking in a stairwell.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
Being Flynn by dmraynal
DeNiro and Dano do very good jobs however I found the movie depressing. Maybe the fact that the movie is too close to what I see around me everyday and I am not willing to fill my free time with more of the dark side of life. I would only recommend this movie to those who feel they need a dose of "reality" and are willing to be satisfied with the fact that actors can do a very good job portraying people's saddest traits.
4
Worth watching... by Jannandmovies
This movie was better than I had expected even though it dragged a bit in the middle of the movie. I did cry a few times because it was a deep movie. I liked that De Niros character was a strong character who never gave up and never pitied himself and at the end he survives to witness his son as a famous poet/writer. I felt that the father & son both were heros in their own right. Great music and good acting. I would buy the music score. This movie could almost be very slow and drag thru out but good thing the director was able to keep it interesting by adding things you wouldnt expect to see. I would say that it was the writing that was lacking here if anything and that compromised the actors roles... but still worth watching!
4
Being Flynn by hawks689
?Seven Days In Utopia? (2011 also) this movie is not, but it shows you Robert DeNiro?s acting versatility. In Being Flynn, Jonathan (DeNiro) a failed writer, alcoholic, homeless person, who appears after 18 years to depend on and vicariously inspire his son Nick (Paul Dano), who works in a shelter, along with the beautiful Olivia Thirby (Denise) to become the writer he always hoped to be.
Great acting and drama dealing with street people, shelters and failed hopes due to broken focus. I sought this movie for inspiration of people rising above their wayward lifestyle to discover and fulfill their hidden talents.
Slowly, after almost reaching the same wretched condition as his dad, Nick introspectively sees through the many wrecked lives that surround him at the shelter and pulls himself out of the vicious cycle of drugs, alcohol and depravity of street life and start to become a writer his dad was always talking about becoming.
5
Being Flynn by robert206
I did make it in to watch "Being Flynn" Robert De Niro at his best!!! He is an amazing actor, The picture and details are beautiful
4
Exceptional Character Studies...A Dark And Introspective Screenplay. by Alon Patterson
This film is not the typical commercial popcorn fare most often found in your local cineplex. Keep this in mind and you won't be disappointed in thinking the title indicates some wishy-washy romantic comedy or light drama. In fact, light would be polar opposite in describing this film. The screenplay here is dark, deep and brooding, a composition worthy of the mighty character actors executing it. Filled with dialogue steeped in masterfully constructed allegory, this film's storied subtext takes its viewer in myriad directions at once. Although not made for the casual filmgoer, this movie's well worth its ticket price, provided of course you're not looking for the "Scott Pilgrim" or "Bridesmaids" genre. Otherwise, see it. You definitely won't be disappointed.
4
being flynn by hytime
Unique, but heavy. Enjoyed the movie, but it left me longing for something more, but not sure what.
5
Being Flynn by amylisag
I enjoyed the movie. Robert De Niro's acting was superb. I had read the book and there were maany changes from the original story.
2
Being Flynn by ohevny
The performances are incredibly good, perhaps too good. We walked out after an hour of unrelenting bleakness and self-destructive behavior on the part of both main roles. This movie should be seen only by those with an ability to absorb a plunge into the depths of human misery.
3
Being Flynn review by largato
too depressing