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

Original title of the film was "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City", the title of the memoir the film is adapted from.

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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

"Too Late"
Written and Performed by Damon Gough (as Badly Brown Boy)

User Reviews

Best Film of 2012 So Far

Im not going to get into the plot because it takes a while to explain, and you can already find it in previous reviews done on this film. Anyway, "Being Flynn" is an incredible film. There was honestly not a single thing about this movie that I didn't like. The only reason that I gave it 9 out of 10 stars instead of a 10 is because I think that it may seem a little slow to certain viewers. I am not one of those viewers. First off, this is the best acting I have seen from Robert De Niro in a very long time. This film goes up there with his best: "Taxi Driver", "Goodfellas", "Heat", etc. The same goes for Paul Dano. His acting in "Being Flynn" is on par, if not better, than in "There Will Be Blood". I will warn those who are very sensitive: you will cry at some point during this film. It is incredibly sad to see the deterioration of Robert De Niro's character. You truly feel for his son (Paul Dano) and what he is going through with this complete nut-case of a father. Paul Dano's character is treated very similarly in "Being Flynn" by Robert De Niro as he is in "There Will Be Blood" by Daniel Day Lewis. I guess he is just an actor we are meant to feel bad for. Anyway, I am so glad to see Robert De Niro doing good films again (The last one I saw him in was "Little Fockers" :P). It is a shame that most people will not see this movie and because it is an early 2012 release and is a limited release, this will get absolutely NO recognition at the Academy Awards.... Robert De Niro and Paul Dano truly both deserve best actor nominations and the movie deserves a best picture nomination. I know it is pretty early in the year to be saying this, but this film is going to be damn hard to beat. Go see "Being Flynn", you wont regret it!