Flora and Son

Another sweet, likable slice of life salted with a hefty sprinkling of music from director John Carney.

Eve Hewson (Bono's daughter) does a fair job of making an exasperating character winning, and she and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays her guitar teacher/love interest, have some serious chemistry together, no mean feat given that their characters interact entirely via video conferencing (though Carney does throw in some inventive flourishes to get around that obstacle). If it all ends a little too patly, and it seems like everyone a little too easily gets what they want, well, I don't watch these kinds of movies for how realistic they are, but rather how I'd like to think the world could be.

Grade: B+

John Carney is one of my favourite directors working today. Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street are all amazing in my opinion, with Sing Street actually being one of my favourite films of all time. So if you think I might be a little too biased before watching his latest film, Flora and Son, maybe take this review with a grain of salt. Briefly playing in theatres and now streaming on Apple TV+, I finally got around to watching it and it may just be my second favourite film of his. It's an irresistible story full of heart, but what I found added to the story is that they are all flawed characters. Here's why I absolutely recommend this one.

Flora (Eve Hewson) can't get her life in order. She is divorced and dealing with her delinquent son Max (Orén Kinlan). With her son having an affection for creating music on his computer, she tries to buy his love with a guitar. Not wanting to take the gift, she ends up taking virtual guitar lessons herself and befriends her teacher Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Their bond is what takes this film from start to finish, but her relationship with her son is the true heartbeat of the story.

Authentic human stories are usually what I gravitate most towards, but the fact that director John Carney always revolves his stories around music is why I love his films so much. Much like how I thoroughly appreciate films about same-sex couples or films about ideas, products, or beliefs that are not the same as my own, I do not understand how musicians/artists create what they create sometimes. I always latch onto what I don't fully understand because I wish to learn more about it. Sing Street was my favourite film of 2016 not only because I loved the characters and the story that emotionally moved me, but it was all of the catchy music and how it was put together that elevated it. When a story interests me that involves things I don't see or do on a daily basis, I'm always enthralled. Sure, I love watching every Superhero movie and the next big Blockbuster, but it's the small intimate stories, regardless of the subject matter, that always seem to stand out as my favourites.

Flora and Son is a very simple film when you break it down, but the execution was great. I think there might be an emotional beat or two missing and I wish that a couple of storylines completed themselves slightly better, but these are honestly just nitpicks in a film I otherwise thought was outstanding. I started watching the film and really found myself disliking most of the characters and their actions, but I grew to learn more about them and ended up loving all of them by the end for different reasons. That is what a great film can do. Sing Street is endlessly rewatchable in my opinion and while Flora and Son isn't as infectious and fun, I can see myself revisiting this one quite a few times. If you're in the mood to feel good, this may just be the best feel-good film you'll find in 2023.

I really liked this movie but it is no "Once." Still it touched my heart on many levels. The relationships and the music seem apropos for the these times. Good character development and good music. A much needed break from all the violence and chaos that seems to permeate modern cinema. Plus, it is shot in Dublin. It brought back memories of my visits to that fine music city. Bono's daughter is a strong actress with a bright future.

You may be annoyed with her at first...she is pretty unlikeable...but that is the point. It is about redemption, and starting your life again. We are never too old to learn new tricks.

This movie has plenty of flaws and cliches...and I did not care all that much. Carney has this way of using music to overcome an audience's resistance. I was like, "This is worse than 'Begin, Again,'" and, "Well, it ain't 'Sing Street.'" But then a mother and son started making music together. And I was cooked. This is basically "Hearts Beat Loud" but Irish and with more familial antagonism. Is it Carney's best? Nope. Not even close. Some of the Joseph Gordon Levitt scenes were downright laughable (not to mention cringy). But it says something when the moments and performances are enough to overcome all (or most of) the flaws. Hewson especially kills it. She takes something fairly stereotypical and transforms it into a complex character that can carry a film. This movie may not be perfect, but that doesn't mean it is any less enjoyable.

John Carney who brought us the excellent Sing Street (2016) and the lovely Once (2007,) gives us another cracking musically centred tale around single mother Flora and her teenage son Max. Eve Hewson is fabulous as Flora and young Oren Kinlan is perfect as Max. There's also a lovely performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jeff, Flora's guitar teacher. There's elements of whimsy, romance, social realism, comedy and eclectic music thrown in along the way. Whilst some of the plot towards the end seems a little far fetched overall this is an enjoyable and life affirming film that deserves a wide audience.