Flora and Son (2023) User Reviews

Eve Hewson breaks out (finally)

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 28 September 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. This pleasant little film is such a treat, though that's not surprising since writer-director John Carney was also responsible for SING STREET (2016) and ONCE (2007), two underrated gems. All three films do what filmmaker Carney does best - they use music as connective tissue between characters who otherwise struggle to click.

Eve Hewson ("The Knick", and Bono's daughter) finally lands a lead role, and she truly shines as Flora. Flora is a frustrated woman in Dublin who doesn't know how to deal with her borderline juvenile delinquent teenage son, Max (newcomer Oren Kinlan). She also desperately wants to find a spark of happiness for herself ... even hoping to win back her ex, struggling musician Ian (Jack Reynor, MIDSOMMAR, SING STREET), who has moved on and found Flora's replacement. Flora was much too young when she became a parent, and though she's far from perfect as a mom, she knows in her heart that she wants a better life for her son and herself.

Max seemingly has no ambition, and he quickly rejects the tattered acoustic guitar his mom offers as a late birthday present. It turns out Max prefers creating computer-generated hip hop music via software and hardware ... mostly in hopes of getting a girl's attention (a tale as old as time). So, while Max putters behind a closed door, Flora begins guitar lessons via Zoom with Jeff (charming Joseph Gordon-Levitt) pursuing the goal of learning guitar and singing a song she will eventually write at the local pub's talent show. Of course, Flora is drawn to Jeff's sensitivity and he to her sincerity and beauty. Director Carney infuses some fantasy into this virtual romance with dreamlike sequences in which Jeff appears alongside Flora, the Zoom camera no longer an obstacle.

Jeff takes a cruel shot at Flora's favorite song by James Blunt, and instead introduces her to Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" ... yet another example of how music can bring folks together. Director Carney also gets bonus points for including Tom Waits' "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You", one of the greats. The connections through creating art don't end with Flora and Jeff, and soon Max is chatting with his dream girl, and Flora and Max and Ian come together for a blended live number, showing music heals wounds and builds bridges. Sure, this is a sentimental, feel-good movie, but they can't all be filled with action and superheroes and misery, right? This is one to enjoy. Plus, it's time for the world to appreciate the talents of Eve Hewson and John Carney.

Opens September 29, 2023.

Really enjoyable

[rocheinathens · 8/10 · 1 October 2023]

I really liked this movie but it is no "Once." Still it touched my heart on many levels. The relationships and the music seem apropos for the these times. Good character development and good music. A much needed break from all the violence and chaos that seems to permeate modern cinema. Plus, it is shot in Dublin. It brought back memories of my visits to that fine music city. Bono's daughter is a strong actress with a bright future.

You may be annoyed with her at first...she is pretty unlikeable...but that is the point. It is about redemption, and starting your life again. We are never too old to learn new tricks.

Quite good!

[parksiet · 8/10 · 30 September 2023]

Flora and Son is another feel-good winner from John Carney. A messy Irish single mother, wonderfully played by Eve Hewson, takes up online guitar lessons with a charming LA-based Joseph Gordon-Levitt and learns how to take control of her life and re-connect with her son. Henson delivers a fantastic performance, and Gordon-Levitt is so charming! Carney shows how important music is to our lives and what it can do for so many. Starts off a little generic, but quickly finds its heart and soul. John Carney is simply one of those directors where you can literally see their passion in their work. Exactly what you would expect: Funny, wholesome, and heartfelt with a catchy songs and a proper use of the internet to connect and share art. What more could you want?!

Enough heart to overcome the cringe

[cliftonofun · 6/10 · 9 October 2023]

This movie has plenty of flaws and cliches...and I did not care all that much. Carney has this way of using music to overcome an audience's resistance. I was like, "This is worse than 'Begin, Again,'" and, "Well, it ain't 'Sing Street.'" But then a mother and son started making music together. And I was cooked. This is basically "Hearts Beat Loud" but Irish and with more familial antagonism. Is it Carney's best? Nope. Not even close. Some of the Joseph Gordon Levitt scenes were downright laughable (not to mention cringy). But it says something when the moments and performances are enough to overcome all (or most of) the flaws. Hewson especially kills it. She takes something fairly stereotypical and transforms it into a complex character that can carry a film. This movie may not be perfect, but that doesn't mean it is any less enjoyable.

Warm Dublin Tale

[csm-78119 · 7/10 · 30 September 2023]

John Carney who brought us the excellent Sing Street (2016) and the lovely Once (2007,) gives us another cracking musically centred tale around single mother Flora and her teenage son Max. Eve Hewson is fabulous as Flora and young Oren Kinlan is perfect as Max. There's also a lovely performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jeff, Flora's guitar teacher. There's elements of whimsy, romance, social realism, comedy and eclectic music thrown in along the way. Whilst some of the plot towards the end seems a little far fetched overall this is an enjoyable and life affirming film that deserves a wide audience.

Sweet and Likable

[evanston_dad · 7/10 · 20 October 2023]

Another sweet, likable slice of life salted with a hefty sprinkling of music from director John Carney.

Eve Hewson (Bono's daughter) does a fair job of making an exasperating character winning, and she and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays her guitar teacher/love interest, have some serious chemistry together, no mean feat given that their characters interact entirely via video conferencing (though Carney does throw in some inventive flourishes to get around that obstacle). If it all ends a little too patly, and it seems like everyone a little too easily gets what they want, well, I don't watch these kinds of movies for how realistic they are, but rather how I'd like to think the world could be.

Grade: B+

PHENOMENAL!

[stephscheersandjeers · 10/10 · 27 September 2023]

I had the pleasure of prescreening this movie and I was bored by the description but after watching this movie, it is easily one of my favorite movies I have watched in a long time. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I rolled my eyes and cringed. It was amazing! The description makes it seem boring and cheesy and I wont lie. It is a bit cheesy but that is what made it so amazing to me. The son's cringy rap, the overwhelmed Mom, the awkward dynamic between Flora and her ex. So many relatable scenes.

There are a few scenes I sobbed over and the end was just a really beautiful scene.

A great movie and I personally enjoyed the music(Even the cringy rap).

Flora and Son with ex-husband and long-distance boyfriend.

[aadarshstha-92565 · 7/10 · 29 September 2023]

Flora and Son is yet another feel-good musical comedy drama by John Carney. As a fan of Begin Again, I was excited to watch this new film by the same director. Also, Eve Hewson getting the recognition and breakout she deserves.

Eve Hewson finally lands a lead film role which really made me happy and she truly shines as Flora. She is really amazing as a frustrated young mother who sparks interest in music.

The songs and music were pretty good and it's a pretty feel-good film. Here, the direction continues to balance out Irish culture, music and a bit of romance. Eve Hewson and Joesph Gordon-Levitt have pretty nice chemistry with good dialogue interaction moments that builds up together.

However, the narrative, on the other hand could've been more creative or energetic. With some minor flaws, this film still is a nice little film which I enjoyed pretty much.

"For Mothers Everywhere"

[jace_the_film_guy · 8/10 · 27 January 2023]

I love Sundance Film Festival! As a fan of Sing Street, I was excited when I saw that John Carney's latest film was playing in Park City. The experience of watching the film with the director and cast in the room was phenomenal.

Carney is a masterful writer/director, and I am continually drawn to his storytelling. The performances in the film were equally strong with Eve Hewson crushing her role and forming a chemistry-fueled bond with Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

It's hard to separate the film from the experience. The finale was a little jumbled and lacked closure in certain aspects. During the Q&A, Carney said that this film was a dedication to mothers (similar to how Sing Street was "for brothers everywhere"). Knowing that, my perception of the film's ending changed. The music was not as strong as his previous films, but it was still a solid movie.

Best Character: Flora Best Scene: Rooftop Duet

Additional Note: I wish that I could download the songs and listen already, but that will have to wait until the film is released.

Sweet drama with humor and music

[gortx · 17 October 2023]

Irish Writer-Director John Carney specializes in music-based movies (ONCE, SING STREET), so it's no surprise that his latest, FLORA AND SON, has a similar theme.

A foul-mouthed single mom, Flora (a sprightly Eve Hewson), lives in a tiny Dublin flat with her equally malcontent child, the troubled Max (Orén Kinlan). The boys father, Ian (Jack Reynor) is in and out of the family picture. Through happenstance, Flora comes to acquire an acoustic guitar and encourages her son to pick up the instrument, but he's far more interested in electronic music.

Instead of chucking it, Flora begins taking online private lessons from a handsome overseas musician, Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt at his most engaging). A good part of the movie is just Flora and Jeff exchanging online. Carney finds a way to open things up so that it's not all just laptop screen shots, fostering more immediacy, not to mention emphasizing their growing emotional bond.

FLORA AND SON is well-acted and some of the original music plays well on screen. Carney's script is a bit bumpy at times as it tries to work out the various relationships. It has a sweet core to it, and a cheeky wit that makes it an enjoyable little tune.

P. S. Listen carefully to the last line delivered as the movie fades out for one last laugh.

John Carney & Eve Hewson know Dublin

[dfloro · 7/10 · 30 September 2023]

Bono and his wife Ali Hewson didn't necessarily want their daughter to be a "performer," but she is definitely that-with bells on. And who would know the city of Dublin, Ireland, better than she would? She was born and grew up in Dublin, then moved to NYC to attend NYU (and now lives in Brooklyn). John Carney, this movie's Irish writer/director, also made the outstanding 2007 film, "Once," which is also about musicians and is set in Dublin. Carney and Hewson are almost uniquely suited to make a movie about these relationships (romantic and/or familial) in the capital city of the Republic of Ireland, and here's another from Mr. Carney and company: Flora & Son. It's not quite as strong as "Once," but I'll grant it an extra star for the performances by the leads, Eve Hewson & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (playing her online guitar teacher in L. A., of all things!). Despite both their innocent intentions, they start to enjoy the chemistry in their long-distance relationship. They play a pair of people, broken in some ways by the nature and failure of their biggest dreams (one as a professional musician and a wife and mother to musicians) to work out as they had hoped. The relationship between Ms. Hewson as Flora and her son "Max" is particularly problematic, as he has grown up living part-time with both parents and feeling a bit estranged from each of them (and getting into some trouble). I can only imagine that many children of divorce must be able to relate to this. (My own story was of a father who left before I was born.) Despite being a bit less good than 2 previous films by Mr. Carney, I believe that this one is worth your time watching for Ms. Hewson (and for Mr. Gordon-Levitt), so I'll give it 7/10.

The Feel-Good Film of the Year

[kjproulx · 9/10 · 16 October 2023]

John Carney is one of my favourite directors working today. Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street are all amazing in my opinion, with Sing Street actually being one of my favourite films of all time. So if you think I might be a little too biased before watching his latest film, Flora and Son, maybe take this review with a grain of salt. Briefly playing in theatres and now streaming on Apple TV+, I finally got around to watching it and it may just be my second favourite film of his. It's an irresistible story full of heart, but what I found added to the story is that they are all flawed characters. Here's why I absolutely recommend this one.

Flora (Eve Hewson) can't get her life in order. She is divorced and dealing with her delinquent son Max (Orén Kinlan). With her son having an affection for creating music on his computer, she tries to buy his love with a guitar. Not wanting to take the gift, she ends up taking virtual guitar lessons herself and befriends her teacher Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Their bond is what takes this film from start to finish, but her relationship with her son is the true heartbeat of the story.

Authentic human stories are usually what I gravitate most towards, but the fact that director John Carney always revolves his stories around music is why I love his films so much. Much like how I thoroughly appreciate films about same-sex couples or films about ideas, products, or beliefs that are not the same as my own, I do not understand how musicians/artists create what they create sometimes. I always latch onto what I don't fully understand because I wish to learn more about it. Sing Street was my favourite film of 2016 not only because I loved the characters and the story that emotionally moved me, but it was all of the catchy music and how it was put together that elevated it. When a story interests me that involves things I don't see or do on a daily basis, I'm always enthralled. Sure, I love watching every Superhero movie and the next big Blockbuster, but it's the small intimate stories, regardless of the subject matter, that always seem to stand out as my favourites.

Flora and Son is a very simple film when you break it down, but the execution was great. I think there might be an emotional beat or two missing and I wish that a couple of storylines completed themselves slightly better, but these are honestly just nitpicks in a film I otherwise thought was outstanding. I started watching the film and really found myself disliking most of the characters and their actions, but I grew to learn more about them and ended up loving all of them by the end for different reasons. That is what a great film can do. Sing Street is endlessly rewatchable in my opinion and while Flora and Son isn't as infectious and fun, I can see myself revisiting this one quite a few times. If you're in the mood to feel good, this may just be the best feel-good film you'll find in 2023.

Making music in Dublin

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 31 October 2023]

A touching story about a single mother (Eve Hewson) and rebellious son in Dublin, who connect in their love for music. She also finds herself increasingly attracted to the man in Los Angeles she's taking guitar lessons from (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). I'm forever drawn to watching people organically making music, even if it is constructed within the film here, and Hewson and Gordon-Levitt are great here. In fact, I kind of wish the focus had been less on Flora and Son, and more on Flora and Jeff, Gordon-Levitt's character.

Director John Carney still delivers though, and the film reminded me of his film Once (2007), with Irish accents and working-class bluntness flying. The parenting angle tries to show that despite all the cussing and mean things Flora and her son say to one another, deep down they love each other, leading to a rather saccharine ending, one which felt wrapped things up too early. As for the music itself, it's a mixed bag, highlighted probably in the Tom Waits and Hoagy Carmichael covers, and sinking when the son raps to his mother at the end. All in all, worth seeing.

Never Really Finds Its Footing

[brentsbulletinboard · 5/10 · 30 September 2023]

The hype swirling around this romantic/creative saga about how the power of love and art can solve virtually any problem has indeed been palpable, but the finished product unfortunately fails to live up to its ambitious billing. Writer-director John Carney's latest feature tells the story of Flora (Eve Hewson), a Dublin working class single mom with questionable values who's struggling to raise her (allegedly) rebellious teenage son, Max (Orén Kinlan). But, in doing so, the picture tends to wander amidst an array of diverse story threads, all of which start out dubious but gradually mellow into a mass of schmaltzy harmony, a somewhat implausible scenario given the patently unlikable and irresponsible nature of its central characters. The means for accomplishing this transformation is Flora's budding love of music, a newfound passion brought about in large part thanks to her online relationship with Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a deadpan, middle-aged Los Angeles-based guitar instructor, a relationship with obvious (but not especially credible) romantic underpinnings. However, in telling this tale, the film gets bogged down by elements like Max's frequent but unconvincing rebelliousness, Flora's turbulent relationship with her ex-husband, Ian (Jack Reynor), and a series of long-winded, tedious, supposedly sensitive conversations between Flora and Jeff. To its credit, the film has its share of biting one-liners and a breakout performance by Hewson, but much of this production never really seems to know where it's going and ends up relying on trite, formulaic plot tropes to wind things up. Regrettably, "Flora and Son" represents yet another example of a film that seriously could have benefitted from further revision and development before being committed to a final cut, an all-too-familiar problem with many of this year's cinematic releases.

Dublin Accents woeful

[maha123 · 29 September 2023]

As much as i wanted to love this movie i just couldn't get over the attempted working class Dublin accents by these Irish actors. People might find this strange given lead actors are actually from Dublin but working class they are not! At times its credible but largely all I heard was the posh D4 (term for posh & privilaged Dublin people) An irish audience is unforgiving when it comes to an accent being botched by international actors. Its 100% more disappointing when its being botched by your own. This story telling would have been far more authentic had talented actors from inner city / working class Dublin been employed or actors who could diversify in the accent effectively.

another John Carney joint

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 3 October 2023]

Flora (Eve Hewson) is a struggling single mom with bitter teen son Max (Orén Kinlan). Her ex Kev (Paul Reid) is a musician with a minutiae of past success. Max rejects Flora's trash guitar gift. She starts playing with it and takes internet lessons from Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

This is another music themed movie from John Carney who created Sing Street (2016), Once (2007) and Begin Again (2013). On the plus side is Eve Hewson. She is utterly charming. On the lesser side, the big song is nowhere near Falling Slowly. That is understandable since Flora and her son are really just amateurs. Basically, John Carney keeps making the same film and good on him. He has an idea and he's going to make every version of that idea. Music bringing together broken people is a good idea. I was expecting the story to go a different path, but there is something beautiful about this idea of smaller victories. Still, it would be nice if they had a better song.

Flora and Son

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 7 October 2023]

There's not a great deal of plausibility with this story, but I still really quite enjoyed it. "Flora" (Eve Hewson) has a sort of hate/hate relationship with her pretty wayward fourteen year old lad "Max" (Orén Kinlan) as she struggles to make ends meet while his dad "Ian" (Jack Reynor) has shacked up with his new, pseudo-Spanish, girlfriend. "Max" is a typical unruly kid: into petty theft, a girl who isn't going to look at him twice and "Flora" is at her wits end. Returning from work one afternoon she espies a busted guitar in a skip. 18 Euros later and she has tied a ribbon to it and presented it to him as a belated birthday gift. He's not remotely interested so she decides to try her hand and eventually alights on the less geeky, dashing, "Jeff" (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) - an online guitar teacher from California. It's their relationship that gradually helps her to put her more immediate difficulties into better perspective and to begin to find more common ground with "Max" and with her ex (on whom she is still a bit sweet). I found there to be a great dynamic between Hewson and Kinlan - though I'm not sure I'd ever have spoken to my mother, nor she to me, in quite this lively vernacular! It's a story that's full of anger and resentment, but also of humour and, in a slightly unique sort of fashion, affection too. Reynor is little more than eye candy - no bad thing - but I could have been doing with a little more from him, and from an acoustically talented JG-L who wrote a few of the songs and performed them - as do the others - too. It's a character study, this film - rough round the edges and maybe just a bit far-fetched, but great use is made of what must have been a tiny production budget to focus the emphasis of the story on the really quite likeable characterisations. Maybe it didn't need a cinema outing, but it is well worth a watch.

Heard it all before.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 6/10 · 11 October 2023]

This been-there-done-that, feel-good comedy drama has plenty of good ideas but never quite manages to bring them together into something truly cohesive. It also shifts its focus a few times, bringing backgrounded characters to the forefront and trying to convince you they've been major players all along. In some ways, that's all reflective of the messy life of its protagonist and her journey to re-evaluate and re-prioritise what's truly important to her, but I feel as though giving the movie credit for cleverly structuring itself in a deliberately inefficient way that makes the experience of watching it mimic the experience of its characters is giving it too much credit. 'Flora And Son (2023)' is by no means bad, it's just a bit underwhelming and never really gets out of second gear. It has several strong performances and is generally well-made from a technical standpoint. Some of its storytelling choices are fairly inspired, even if its overarching story plays things mostly safe, and it's paced fairly well (even though you aren't gripped, you're never exactly bored). To say it's so concerned with music, it's perhaps strange that a lot of its tunes, for lack of a better term, kind of suck. I know that music is incredibly subjective (as is film), but I feel as though even within the songs are weak even within the genres they represent - especially the final piece of music, which plays to a crowd who treat it as if it's the next big thing when it's really just... rubbish. To be fair, one of the songs - which reoccurs but is at its most stirring when sung as a duet - is genuinely quite good and it provides the basis for one of the flick's most heartfelt scenes. Ultimately, this is a decent yet scattershot musical comedy drama that occasionally hits the right notes but often falls pretty flat. It's fine for what it is, but there's plenty of similar films that are just better.

Great!

[gcaviale · 10/10 · 1 October 2023]

I really loved this movie and wholly recommend it. The original music was *actually* good and easy on the ears which is necessary for a musical experience. All the characters were likeable, even if extremely crass. Flow of story was satisfying, moved along and got to the point. Felt some actual emotions watching it. I was a little disappointed that the love story didn't materialize more in the end. I was ready to throw the whole son away in the beginning but the movie redeemed him and the mother by bringing them together with music which is just really special. So I was focused on the wrong love story. Really beautiful.

A Feel-Good Irish (+ One American) Movie

[BoBo_Goal32 · 7/10 · 11 October 2023]

There is nothing not to like in this movie. He is pretty funny and light headed, it has tones of charm and great cast and director, but also has a roof glass which it cannot break. This is the destiny (at most of the times) of cute movies with musical instruments in them.

It has a profound subject and even several of them, but they are all flying away near the main issue of the movie - create a pleasant atmosphere for the audience, which will be able to leave the theatre (or at this case of Apple TV: the couch) with a heart worming feeling.

Flora, which is played by Eve Hewson (U2's Bono's Daughter and a rising actress which probably will shine brighter after participating at this film), is young mother to a 14 years old raging teenager. She tries to find herself and her missed youth and prevent him from entering Juvie. The location is Dublin and her Ex-husband leaves nearby.

The suffering of Flora doesn't seem real, as I saw it, but l let myself dive into this small-time production and wait for JGL (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to appear as her online guitar teacher, which she will later on have a crush.

The movie is too short to create any dramatic effect, but the music is moving and the actors are pretty good with covering up a lazy script of John Carney (who likes the genre of light-headed comic-drama with music as a bridge between people).

I really wanted to love this movie over my head, but it didn't give me any reason to do it, but still... I ended up with a good feeling, which all of us needs on these days and for that it is truly a movie that most of viewers, which appreciate the genre cannot choose to forfeit.

I want morel

[joanne_lh · 10/10 · 1 October 2023]

Love love this story, so relatable. A feel good film that ticks all the boxes. Makes me want to pick up my guitar that has been gathering dust for way too long. Great casting, great writing, great relationships an altogether fabulous film. I highly recommend watching this film. But leaves you wanting more, maybe because now we have access to so many good series. But this film could easily translate to the small screen, i want to know what happens next. Does Flora get to go to Los Angeles, does she meet her guitar teacher, does her son learn from his mistakes. There are so many places it can go......

Much better than anticipated....

[PerryAtTheMovies · 7/10 · 4 January 2024]

7.0/10 (Recommend)

This film is definitely rough around the edges, but its grounded human element makes it worth watching. There's going to be aspects that people won't like especially when it comes to explicit language, but it makes more real for the Irish culture.

There's an overall good cast who have great chemistry together. Despite never being together per se, Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt bonded well and have terrific chemistry together. Orén Kinlan who plays the son is a little rigid and emotionless at times despite his character being a rebel, but he's got decent vocals.

The big thing for me was that it was hard to understand words through the accents. It was either the accents were too thick or the music overpowered the speech so subtitles were necessary.

The whole film fluctuates from being absolutely terrible to absolutely outstanding, but the fluctuation peaks to an amazing finish. You won't have to be musical to understand this film as it flows naturally, and you almost feel like you're learning along the way.

There's a lot of tough emotion to this film. I don't know if it's the accents that caused me to struggle to gain the emotional connection at first, but once I put on the subtitles everything became more real for me. Eventually, the ending I wanted came to fruition and I was able grab hold of the culmination of love that this film gives.

The main aspect to appreciate this film is love. Love of music, family, bonds, and relationships. Work for what you want because no one will hand it to you. Life sucks, people suck, but there can be little victories along the way that make life worth living.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!

The heart of Dublin.

[lindagibney-99145 · 10/10 · 30 September 2023]

Happened apon this film. Love a Dublin movie. And being in Griffith park was the bonus.

From the outset showed a very real view of some peoples lives in Dublin. Focus on a struggling mother and son. Trying to find middle ground and rebuild a relationship from anger. I can relate. Loads of fabulous faces and a lovely warm feel to this movie.

It's a must watch. Sometimes a real movie is what you need. The lead actress was very good. I probably am aware of the director. I can't recall right now. I'm going to hunt down the films. And watch a few. All over good movie. Terrible enjoyable. Can recm.

Good but feels unfinished

[solojere · 6/10 · 9 October 2023]

Flora and son follows Flora, a single mom who is at war with her son, Max. Trying to find a hobby for Max, she rescues a guitar from a dumpster and finds that one person's trash can be a family's salvation. The title is a little misleading as it is mostly a movie about Flora trying to navigate raising her son while also falling in love with her online guitar teacher.

I really enjoyed this movie for the most part. The Characters were interesting. Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt had amazing chemistry. And the music. But when the movie ended, I thought that was it? It feels like there should be a part 2 or something. Nothing really gets resolved.

Good musical tracks and performances, but lacking

[chenp-54708 · 5/10 · 29 September 2023]

Firstly, I really love the musical moments as the music and guitar playing is pretty good. Helps to add sweet and cute musical moments together well. Unfortunately, despite good intentions and good moments, the movie isn't as good as I hoped for.

John Carney's previous films like "Sing Street, Once and "Begin Again" demonstrate his talent on showing romance, comedy and music together and I have enjoyed them. "Sing Street" being my favorite from his works. Here, his direction here continues to balance out Irish culture, music and romance. Eve Hewson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have pretty great chemistry together with pretty good dialogue interaction moments that builds up together.

The narrative is standard and cheesy and sometimes cheesy feel good movies are perfect. However, unfortunately, the cheesy narrative didn't work for me because the narrative doesn't feel as creativity or energetic as Carney's other works with this one being more tame then usual. On the characters, I understand their purposes and why the characters are the way they are but I really didn't connect with them since I found them to be kind of annoying and quite unlikable at times.

As mentioned about the music, the musical and soundtrack moments were good as there are some pretty good singing and song-writing moments. The camerawork is bland and the production is sometimes a little cheap. With the movie focusing on the main character and her son, the character arches felt too thin and sloppy which needed some improvements to fix it's structure. Some of the humor was kind of bad, especially with some of the Gen Z humor attempts.

Overall, it was never boring as Hewson and Levitt were the best part. But I wish there was more out of this one.