Director Weitz spins an urban, character-driven drama centred around the dysfunctional, father-son pairing of Jonathan Flynn (Robert De Niro) and Nick Flynn (Paul Dano) the former a hard-boozing, negligent cab driver, the latter a sensitive, aimless layabout. When Jonathan Flynn callously reappears in his son`s life, the latter starts to be haunted by the parallels that he shares in his personality with his dad, not least of which being their shared writing aspirations. Suffice to say that neither of the father-son pair are Ernest Hemingways when it comes to literary talent, and this, coupled with their penchant for substance abuse and their dysfunctional relationship, forms the emotional crux of the movie.
Straightforward enough in its narrative, Being Flynn is overlaid with a sardonic narrative that interweaves the internal monologues of both father and son, via some intentionally mediocre prose. The film`s bleak trajectory is occasionally interlaced with dark humour, and the chemistry between De Niro and Paul Dano is both riveting and revelatory. De Niro puts in a masterful performance that adds complexity to his racist, delusional character, making Jonathan Flynn a character that, while memorable, is never truly sympathetic.
While some may find the pace of the movie slightly sedate, Being Flynn is a well-crafted character drama that plays off the considerable strengths of its cast.
Summary: Bleakly masterful, and peopled with characters that are evocative without ever having to be likable.
Rating: 3.5/5