Film Review: 'Flipped'

When was the last time you saw a movie that simply told a sweet, heart-warming story? One sans exploding body parts, volumes of vulgarity and computer trickery. “Flipped” breaks all the rules applied to contemporary “entertainment” and has nothing to do with real estate.

Director Rob Reiner returns to his “Stand By Me” mode of looking at the world through the eyes of adolescents during the 1950s in this nostalgic romp. It was love at first sight for Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll) when she “flipped” for Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe). And for the next six years the film chronicles their evolving relationship.

Reiner's storytelling employs a he-said, she-said format, which provides dual perspectives while the two tweens recall the same incidents. It works really well. Reiner also employs some actors who seem to have been unemployed as of late. Welcome faces from the past include Aidan Quinn and Penelope Ann Miller as Juli's cash-strapped but loving parents; and Anthony Edwards and Rebecca De Mornay as Bryce's parents whose financial security appears to be better off than their emotional counterpart. And John Mahoney sparkles as Bryce's grandfather, lending the voice of reason not often heard from the other characters.

Reiner really gets the ’50s. The soundtrack reverberates with golden oldies, and the visuals are abundant with ’50s and ’60s memorabilia. It's just clean, all-round fun watching this little gem.

Sadly, I'm afraid that “Flipped” will silently slip under the radar. I've not seen a single trailer or ad for the film. Shame on Warner Bros. for its lack of faith in a movie that transports us back to a wonderful era. Kudos to Reiner for taking us there in style.

— Pam Nadon