5 Flights Up (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Richard Loncraine

Country

USA

Cast

Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, Korey Jackson, Claire van der Boom, Carrie Preston, Miriam Shor, Cynthia Nixon, James Claude Bristow, Joanna P. Adler, Alysia Reiner, Josh Pais, Sterling Jerins, Maury Ginsberg

Storyline

Alex (Morgan Freeman) and Ruth (Diane Keaton), a long-time married couple who have spent their lives together in the same New York apartment, become overwhelmed by issues when they plan to move away.

Opinion

After seeing the trailer I was expecting a quirky film and I really wanted to go to the movie theater to see it, but then I was overwhelmed by the reviews and decided not to go. And it was the right thing to do because "5 Flights Up" is a pointless and slightly boring drama that even its leads can't save.

On the writing front, this film is a real mess. Although there are some sweet, sad and funny moments, the story is paper thin and that's definitely not enough to entertain or engage. Also, it doesn't go anywhere. There are too many unexplored, undeveloped subplot. What is the terrorist supposed to add? Or the sick dog? And what is going on with Zoe, the girl Alex coincidentally sees several times? It is beyond my comprehension.

But the story isn't the only element going nowhere, the characters are static as well. After one and a half hour, they stay exactly the same, and that's what makes the film so pointless. In addition to that, they are quite unlikable, but I have to give credits to the writers for feeding them with good dialogue.

However, in spite of having terrible writing, the film still does have something to offer. It indeed manages to touch racial, social and political issues in a decent way.

Another positive thing I can say is about the acting. It is great and a waste for the film's awful script. Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton both do a good job portraying Alex and Ruth, and they have a nice chemistry. Same goes with Korey Jackson and Claire van der Boom who played the younger versions of Alex and Ruth, they were just adorable.

2 comments :

  1. Mi ispira molto questo film, lo devo recuperare!😊 A presto Sonia!👋

    ReplyDelete