FilmSnobReviews

Title: 5 Flights Up
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Richard Loncrane
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, Cynthia Nixon
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

What It Is: Alex Carver (Freeman) and his wife Ruth (Keaton) have lived in their Brooklyn apartment for about 40 years. When they first got there Brooklyn was a second rate borough, now it’s a booming hipster mecca. Because of this property values all around have increase, and now the Carvers are contemplating selling, or at least Ruth’s niece Lily (who is a realtor played by Cynthia Nixon) is pressuring them to do so. However as we go we’re treated to snippets of their younger days that serve to show us just how important this little apartment is.

What We Think: It’s through line is mangled by a bumbling and heavy-handed underbelly, instead of furthering the more interesting (and arguably humanizing) younger subplot. Freeman and Keaton are not only an adorable older couple, but a joy to watch. This is simply a testament to the fact that they are still as strong as ever in this acting game. Their younger counterparts however are not so lucky. Though it’s the more interesting ancillary thread the film is hurt by the subpar performance of the younger couple. Perhaps a manipulative it is still somewhat fascinating and it’s ending fresher then you’d expect.

Our Grade: C-, Having said all that there is one more subplot of a potential “terrorist” on the Brooklyn Bridge that just doesn’t work, feels forced, and drags the whole thing down. Check this one out simply for the two leads, and no much else. Loncrane’s direction is heavy and weighting, and it leaves nothing to chew on afterward. This is because it’s so heavy-handed with it’s message you just don’t care by the end, there’s nothing but apathy. Nonetheless if you’re a fan of these actors by all means check this one out.

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