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:

Paul Dano, Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore

1 win.

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
Benjamin Foronda	...	Punky Guy
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 shelter | suicide | mother son relationship | father son relationship | based on memoir | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of Nick Flynn's memoir, "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City", was never considered for the film due to the profanity. "Welcome to Suck City" was used during production, but according to Flynn, the audience of a Paramus, New Jersey test screening unanimously rejected it, saying they would never go see a movie with that title. Various other titles were considered, including "Another Night", before "Being Flynn" was chosen.

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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

It's What I'm Thinking
Written and Performed by Badly Drawn Boy
Courtesy of One Last Fruit

User Reviews

An antidote against the usual Hollywood dross

I really liked this film… a lot. As with a lot of movies based on life the story weaves about a bit. But I particularly like the way the narrative kept switching between son and farther, giving insights and snippets of past and present life. Very character driven storyline and this movie is a good antidote against the high budget, high gloss, special effect driven Hollywood movies… which I also like, don't get me wrong. But in the words of REM, "sometimes you need something more sub sub sub substantial." Both Robert De Niro and Paul Dano give strong performances, but I do slightly worry that Paul Dano might keep being typecast as the lost creative sensitive type. It was nice to see De Niro in a non-comedic role, which he seems to play recently. And it's a good reminder of here is an actor that can act.

Well worth watching in my opinion. Don't expect the movie to be wrapped up nice and neat at the end. I couldn't see how they would be able to do that without resorting to Hollywood cliché's. I'm still astounded this is by the same director (Paul Weitz), who directed the frighteningly bad Little Fockers.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 2012 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City

Filming Locations:

Mount Vernon, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$43,990, 4 March 2012

Gross USA:

$540,152

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$983,124

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