“She’s laughing, how could she just sit there and laugh and look so beautiful?”-Bryce Loski, “Flipped”
It’s February, and with Valentine’s Day approaching, you might be thinking, “Why not watch a romantic movie?” You grab your popcorn, a fizzy drink, and TV remote, but as you scroll through Netflix, you can’t find a film that isn’t overly romantic or cheesy. A great option to consider is “Flipped” to avoid these usual clichés. Directed by Rob Reiner, who brought us classic films like “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally”, this movie was filmed in our very own Thurston neighborhood in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Some scenes were shot near Thurston Elementary School, so not only is it a great movie to watch, also many scenes throughout the movie are everyday places you can visit if you live nearby! Mlive confirmed that it was filmed near Thurston Pond throughout the movie, and the article written about it can be found here. This link confirms when it when on Mlive. This movie is a beautiful coming-of-age story based on Wendelin Van Draanen’s novel. Read more to find out why I think this movie is a must-see!
The plot begins in the summer of 1957, seven-year-old Bryce Loski played by Callan McAuliffe moves next door to Julianna Baker (Juli) played by Madeline Carroll, they meet in second grade, and instantly, Juli develops an annoying and pestering crush for Bryce. However, he unfortunately doesn’t feel the same spark, and from that day in second grade forward, Bryce tries to steer clear of Juli, who seems to be everywhere he turns.
As the years roll on, Juli’s infatuation lingers like a stubborn shadow, but after six long years of dreaming about Bryce, she starts seeing him in a different light, questioning if he is the love of her life. Her heart, once set on him, begins to slip, but at the same time, Bryce starts experiencing a shift in perspective — he sees Juli in a different light. The girl who once annoyed him begins to show many great qualities, and he hesitates the fact that maybe he misjudged her all along and their feelings for each other gradually flip.
In my view, Bryce and Juli’s relationship wasn’t a healthy one in the start, as some of Bryce’s actions were hurtful toward Juli, for instance, he threw away eggs that Juli kindly gifted his family, furthermore, he also made fun of her disabled uncle’s behavior showing a lack of empathy. As a result, Juli reconsidered her feelings for Bryce and completely stopped talking to him, however in the end, Bryce comes to realize his mistakes and starts having feelings for her and this is when their feelings for each other “Flip”. He maintains their friendship and ultimately apologizes to Juli for his actions. Ultimately, “Flipped” presents a love story between two teenagers, offering powerful insights that resonate deeply with real-life relationships.
This movie is truly one of my all-time favorites, a heartfelt gem that I find myself watching again and again. If you’re looking for a coming-of-age romance that has the perfect balance between charm and romance without being overly cheesy then I highly recommend it. I would recommend this movie to those aged 11+ as there isn’t any mature content that would be overlooked as inappropriate. This movie is friendly for most ages and 11 would be encouraged. I recommend this movie to anyone who is in the mood for a teen movie with romance. It tells a beautiful, love story that will suit anyone who has experienced the joys and complexities of young love. You can easily find “Flipped” streaming on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, or Fandango. Trust me, it’s worth your time, so be sure to check it out!
