Flipped (2010/Warner Blu-ray w/DVD)

 

Picture: B-/C+     Sound: B-/C+     Extras: C     Film: C

 

 

After a comeback of sorts with The Bucket List, Rob Reiner has decided to go back to his success with Stand By Me and came up with Flipped, a 2010 effort that wants to tell both sides of the story of how Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) met Juli (Madeline Carroll) from when they were very young (played by Ryan Ketzner and Morgan Lily), set in the early 1960s.  This continues a bad myth started in 1980s Hollywood films that this was a good golden period before The Civil Rights Movement and Counterculture arrived, as if that was somehow a bad thing.

 

The actors are good in their roles, but this is as oversimplified as a TV and/or cable TV movie, not offering anything we have not seen before.  Reiner also licenses hit music from the time all over the place to the point where you want to say, the MTV era is over and so is making this kind of film.  I know he is trying to make something with some heart and soul, but that should have come more from the script and not the licensing.  Though the songs are good (and likely expensive), I would rather hear these classics on my own.

 

Penelope Ann Miller, Anthony Edwards, Aidan Quinn, John Mahoney and Rebecca De Mornay also star in this very average film.  Nice try, but it is ultimately unconvincing.

 

The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is a little weak throughout and part of it might be the style attempted, but also comes form some bad judgment on the use of the Digital Internegative.  The anamorphically enhanced DVD is weaker still, but actually hides some of the flaws the Blu-ray shows.  The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 mix is underwhelming and dialogue-based, so the hit records (which usually sound good, but could sound better) and new music by Marc Shaiman benefit best.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix on the DVD is weaker still and not as warm.

 

Extras include Digital Copy for PC and PC portable devices on the DVD, Flipped: Anatomy Of A Kiss and three more Blu-ray exclusive featurettes: The Differences Between A Boy & A Girl, Embarrassing Egg-Scuses and How To Make The Best Volcano.  As you can tell, this film is sappier than it should be.

 

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo