Being Flynn

When trying to describe some films, you occasionally find that you just...can't describe them. They are so intrinsic, so intricate, so specific and so unique that in trying to actually string words together to make a valid or useful comparison, recommendation or judgement, you often find yourself lost at sea. Whether the film is wonderful, terrible, heart-wrenching or hilarious, there is something about it that you cannot fully describe; you have to just point to it rather numbly and say "yes", or "no" as the case may be. For me Being Flynn was one of these films in a lot of ways, and in many ways I loved it. And despite what I have just said about describing a reaction to a film, I'll try and give it a go.

I shall say right now that I don't feel this film is for the faint of heart. Whilst not particularly gory or horrific, it is extremely hard-hitting and raw, dealing with some very moving issues and stories, often very well, that are almost hurled at you with blanketed yet pinpointed rate, accuracy and potency. However, if you can deal with this sort of dramatic film, then the results will surely blow you away. Like always, perhaps more so this time, I am going to try and refrain from spoilers, so I shall just say that Being Flynn centres on a young struggling writer who tries to help his fellow man by working at a homeless shelter, whereupon he encounters his very estranged and in many ways very shattered father who believes himself to be a virtuoso of a writer, among other things. The film goes on to look at both of their lives, including their loves and positives, as well as their crushing failures and negatives, along with everything in between.

For me, and many others, the stand-out powerhouse performance of this film comes in the form of the great Robert De Niro as Johnathan Flynn. Of course, De Niro is now a legendary figure of cinema to epic proportions; the likes of which few have ever accomplished, and deservedly so. However, unlike some, he is never ever seen to rest on his laurels, continuing to produce huge volumes of work and very good work at that. It is testament to his sheer genius, ability and longevity, that even now after so many years in the business, in Being Flynn he produces a character, performance, and driving force of a movie that is sheer perfection, and in my opinion one of if not the greatest role he has ever done; it is certainly the greatest I have ever seen him. He effortlessly moves through the many and multi-layered personality traits and mannerisms of Johnathan Flynn; witty charm, sage wisdom, manic creativity, blind faith, obstinate arrogance, hostile abrasiveness, manic lunacy and gritty observance to name but a wonderful few. This for me is very much Robert De Niro's film, and both he and it are all the better off for it. 

That is not to say however that there are no other great things to enjoy about this film. The ever-beguiling, charismatic, powerful, and talented Julianne Moore delivers a great performance as Jody Flynn; one that wraps around and intertwines brilliantly within the narrative of the two central male characters. Alongside Robert De Niro she brings that much more quality and watch-ability to Being Flynn. 

Paul Dano represents the younger generation in this film. Though I have seen a few things he's been in and recognize that his is a growing reputation, I have never really set any store by him. Though in Being Flynn I think he has definitely found his feet and found them well, as he delivers solidly. However, for me his is definitely the lesser performance of this film. There are moments of clarity and brevity that he pulls off well, but I felt that there were too many times when he was just trying too hard to show the processes and emotion of his character Nick Flynn, and that weakened how he came off on screen for me. This might be just to do with his method and general mannerisms, but for me if there was a performance in Being Flynn that was a tad predictable, it would be that of Paul Dano. Happily however, the relationship and chemistry between him and De Niro, which is so key to this film, does work so there are some saving graces.

As a piece of drama, or indeed a piece of cinematic experience, this film does have quite a lot going for it. Some great cast, some great performances, some great music, and even a great literary bent to proceedings, Being Flynn does deliver powerfully and full of impact from pretty much start to finish. Yet it does so in a way that is accessible and easily enjoyable as a film, I think in a very easy and profound fashion. So yes in a nutshell, despite me perhaps struggling to get across the greatness of Being Flynn, I would definitely reccomend it.