Being Flynn (2012)

Working in a Boston homeless shelter, Nick Flynn re-encounters his father, a con man and self-proclaimed poet. Sensing trouble in his own life, Nick wrestles with the notion of reaching out yet again to his dad.

Director:

Paul Weitz

Writers:

Paul Weitz, Nick Flynn (book)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Paul Dano, Julianne Moore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Jonathan Flynn
Paul Dano	...	Nick Flynn
Julianne Moore	...	Jody Flynn
Olivia Thirlby	...	Denise
Eddie Rouse	...	Carlos
Steve Cirbus	...	Jeff
Lili Taylor	...	Joy
Victor Rasuk	...	Gabriel
Liam Broggy	...	Young Nick
Chris Chalk	...	Ivan
Wes Studi	...	Captain
Thomas Middleditch	...	Richard
Sarah Quinn	...	Religious Girl
Ben Foronda	...	Punky Guy (as Benjamin Foronda)
Dale Dickey	...	Marie

Storyline

Nick Flynn, in his 20s, hasn't found his place in the world yet, but hopes to be a writer. Around the time he takes a job at a homeless shelter in Boston, his father, Jonathan, who considers himself a great writer and who hasn't see Nick in years, abruptly makes fleeting contact. A few months later, the down-and-out Jonathan shows up at Nick's shelter and becomes a resident. This disorients Nick; he doesn't handle it well, compounded by Jonathan's belligerent behavior. Nick's memories of his mother, his budding relationship with a co-worker, and his own demons make things worse. Can anything improve? Is he his father's son?

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Plot Keywords:

homeless | writer | homeless shelter | absent father | male frontal nudity | 

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Taglines:

We're All Works In Progress.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some sexual content, drug use, and brief nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 2012 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$43,990 (USA) (2 March 2012)

Gross:

$526,322 (USA) (6 April 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, Depth of Field, Corduroy Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Off screen, while taking a break from filming and still in costume, Robert De Niro attempted to enter The Greenwich hotel, which he co-owns. The security did not recognize De Niro, turned him away and would not let him in.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jonathan Flynn: America has produced only three classic writers - Mark Twain, J.D. Salinger and me. I'm Jonathan Flynn. Everything I write is a masterpiece. And soon, very soon, I shall be known.

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Connections

Referenced in Made in Hollywood: Episode #7.19 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"The Smile Behind Your Face"
Written and Performed by Damon Gough (as Badly Brown Boy)

User Reviews

One Of Robert De Niro's Best Performances In Quite Some Time.

Working in a Boston homeless shelter, Nick Flynn re-encounters his father, a con man and self-proclaimed poet. Sensing trouble in his own life, Nick wrestles with the notion of reaching out yet again to his dad. In my honest to goodness point of view, Robert De Niro has delivered one of his best performances in quite some time. Being Flynn is a very touching and heartwarming movie about the lives of two frustrated men trying to make a name for themselves. I watched this movie because I hard heard some good things about it, and when it was over, I was very surprised at what I had seen. This movie in my opinion is one of the best movies of 2012, and it's one of the best movies that Robert De Niro has made in quite some time, I mean that the other movies that he made were good movies, such as Righteous Kill, Killer Elite, and Stone, but they aren't as good as some of his best movies, such as Goodfellas, Casino, and Taxi Driver. But Being Flynn is different, rather than being good but not excellent, this movie is a great movie, it's got good acting, writing, directing, and cinematography.

Robert De Niro has made some good movies since the beginning of the 21st Century, such as Limitless, Meet The Parents, 15 Minutes, Stardust, and Killer Elite. But Being Flynn is one of the best that he has made in quite some time. He was outstanding in this movie, he gave a very convincing performance as a frustrated man who wants to become a famous author, but a lot of problems get in his way. Paul Dano's performance as Robert De Niro's son (in the movie that is) is also worth talking about. Five years after giving a great role in There Will Be Blood, Paul Dano gives another great role as the son of Robert De Niro's character, who is also trying to make a living as an author. De Niro and Dano's performances are the two best ones in the movie, and on the whole, the movie is a success. From De Niro and Dano's acting to Paul Weitz's writing and directing, Being Flynn is an absolute success.

If you want to see Robert De Niro in a role that I would might say is one of his best in a long time, then you should watch Being Flynn, it is an excellent movie. It is great to see Robert De Niro in a role that marks his return to form following quite a few critical and commercial failures. But hey, you can't expect every movie that De Niro makes to be a masterpiece. And also, I didn't like this movie just because Robert De Niro was in it, I also liked it for other reasons. Anyway, Being Flynn is a movie that you must see, as it is one of the best movies that you will see on video this year, it's a touching tale of the lives of two men who are divided due to their frustration. I send my congrats to Robert De Niro, Paul Weitz, and Paul Dano for working together to make a movie that's a very good movie, and that is the way that a movie should be. So if you want to see a good Robert De Niro movie, then watch this, as it's one of the best movies that he's made in quite a while.

10/10