Flipped Movie Review (2010)
A sweet coming-of-age film about a boy and a girl who live next to each other and manage the ins and outs of puppy love as kids, Flipped is both nostalgic and relatable.
Rob Reiner has directed some of the best films we have. The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, Misery, and a personal nostalgic favorite, The Sure Thing – he is a master of relationships. His ability to tell a story about people is right up there with the greats. And this film is no different.
Flipped is about Bryce and Juli, two kids who grow up next door to each other. On the day that young Bryce moves into his new house, Juli sees him and is taken with his eyes. He thinks she’s annoying and does everything he can to stay away from her at school. Over the years, feelings for each other change, and as maturity develops, Juli wonders what she saw in Bryce, while Bryce begins to appreciate what he sees in Juli.
This is a really cute movie. It shares a vibe with Stand By Me in that it is set in generally the same era (long before cell phones, when you’d use your imagination and play in a tree), and it’s mostly about kids being kids, as they begin to process the real world around them.
Flipped is structured like a book (because it’s based on a book), and I mean that in the very best way. Throughout the film, you move from Bryce’s to Juli’s side of the story, experiencing each situation through their eyes. You see how certain things get misconstrued or how certain moments come to be, all through the narrative of one of the two characters.
Bryce’s more-affluent family looks good on the outside, but inside, there are silent struggles. Dad expects Mom and daughter in the kitchen and setting up the home, while Bryce is for manual labor and to mind his Ps and Qs. It’s only when grandpa moves in that there is the potential for any shift.
Julie’s family doesn’t have as much money, but they actively love each other, communicate well, and really see each other for who they are. Dad is an artist, and Mom is always there to listen. They sit around the dinner table with Juli’s brothers, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Both adolescents are likeable, and even though you might not make some of the same choices, having been a kid once, you understand where everyone is coming from. It’s rich with nostalgia.
Just like most first crushes, you haven’t had deep conversations with the person before developing feelings, and it is the same thing here. But there’s a charming aspect to watching this play out on screen, with the innocence palpably displayed in every scene. It’s a good one.
Runtime: 89 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? I got choked up
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
