FLOWER – Rated R – 1 hr. 30 mins.

FLOWER – Rated R – 1 hr. 30 mins.

Director/Writer:  Max Winkler

Starring: Zoey Deutch, Kathryn Hahn, Adam Scott, Joey Morgan and Tim Heidecker

As we meet teenager Erica (Zoey Deutch), she has come up with a fool-proof way to make cash fast, although in our conservative world, it comes across a little too sexually driven, much less conventional…

When Erica is asked by her mother Laurie (Kathryn Hahn) to accept new stepdad Bob (Tim Heidecker) and his drugged out, mental case son Luke (Joey Morgan) into their home, Erica has about had enough of this “family togetherness” before it even really gets started…

Forced to try to get along with Luke, and giving it her best, Erica soon finds that Luke has lots of issues from his past, that he has yet to find a way to actually deal with…

When a blast from Luke’s past appears ~ sending him off the rails ~ it seems that Erica has no choice but to assist Luke in ridding his life of “all its evil’s”, and at no matter the cost…

I give FLOWER a rating between MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN or WAIT AND CATCH THIS FILM ON BLU-RAY/DVD:  Deutch is once again profoundly superb in this very unconventional film, as she makes choices to achieve her goals, no matter what the consequences.  Hahn, Scott and Morgan’s performances are awesome too, taking this rather bizarre, yet very original storyline, and keeping it moving right along.  I think that FLOWER is definitely fabulous entertainment for those over 17, as my 18-year-old expressed its her favorite film so far, this year. And kudos to Winkler too, as he manages to bring his, and fellow writers Alex McAulay and Matt Spicer rather unorthodox and provocative story of life.  The only deterrent for me in this “funny one minute, and serious the next storyline” was that there were a few “happenings” that felt a little too far-fetched, even for these rebellious and psychotic teenagers, but from an entertainment perspective, this film TOTALLY ROCKED. Deutch is one incredible young actress, and I have so enjoyed her work in DIRTY GRANDPA, EVERYBODY WANTS SOME, WHY HIM? and THE DISASTER ARTIST, and I know she is going to go far…but sadly too, I feel that FLOWER isn’t “the film” that gets her to the next level in her career.  So, here’s to hoping that there are more roles beckoning for her to show off her acting prowess out there, and soon 🙂

Kathy Kaiser