Flora and Son movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Flora and Son

This charming film releases on Apple TV+ on September 29, 2023.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 34 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about a single mom who is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son. Encouraged by the police to find her son a hobby, she gives him an old acoustic guitar and connects him with a washed-up LA musician. Together, they all discover the transformative power of music. Harmony in their relationship also develops.

The film was written and directed by John Carney.

THINGS I LIKED:

I had never seen Eve Hewson in anything before but now I’m a fan. She was terrific in this role.
We get to hear Joseph Goron-Levitt sing! I hadn’t seen him in anything in quite a while. I’ve always been a fan of his. I really liked him in this role too.
Jack Reynor is also in the cast and will look familiar to you.
The movie takes place in Dublin, Ireland. I was just there last month and walked past many of the places shown in the movie! I laughed when one of the characters said, “No tanks.” That’s how they actually talk there! We loved it.
Director Carney said that this film is a tribute to mothers.
If you love the guitar or folksy, heart-filled lyrics, you’ll want to buy this soundtrack.
Isn’t is awesome that the everyday person with a cell phone can make a music video?
It’s fun to watch how a song evolves.
I loved how the film showed two people separated by continents can feel like they’re in the same space because of the way music transports them.
I like that the movie doesn’t wrap up in a nice, pretty bow.
Keep watching during the rolling credits at the end of the movie to hear the revealed song Jeff wrote for Flora.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some Americans might have a difficult time understanding the thick accents.
We hear some songs with a ton of profanity.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

A mother hits her teen son three times
Tons of profanity, including lots of crude language, and F-bombs
Talk of porn and detailed descriptions of sex
A single mother has a one-night stand.
Alcohol, cigarettes
A mother and son speak disrespectfully to each other, mostly yelling

THEMES:

Parenting & motherhood
Responsibility
The power of YouTube!
Developing talents
Trying to impress people
The transforming power of music
Inspirational music

FUNNY LINES:

“I was always the one in the class making fun of the teacher because someone had to.” – Flora (Eve Hewson)
“Teaching guitar lessons online…that’s the ultimate graveyard for failed musicians.” – Ian (Jack Reynor)

INTERESTING LINES:

“This can’t be my story.” – Flora (Eve Hewson)
“Have you ever seen an ad for a guitar? No, it sells itself.” – Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)
“It’s the smiling with the mouth but not the eyes…it’s how you know.” – Jeff “Know what?” – Flora “That they’re unchanged.” – Jeff
“I stopped trying to make money with music. It almost killed the thing I love.” – Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)