A teen angst comedy that shows the dark side of American youth, Flower pulls off a twisted script with very good acting and direction. Even though a work of fiction, the film takes a turn at depicting our teens as vulgar and overly prurient. That said, so were several other films within the last decade. If you are not offended by crude sexual content and language throughout, graphic nude drawings, some drug content, and a brief violent image, than Flower would be a good movie choice.
Seventeen year olds Erica (Zoey Deutch), Kala (Dylan Gelula) and Claudine are best buds who have their own special click. Totally in tune with each other, they stare down bullies, are sexually hyper and trap the unsuspecting into giving them money. Erica, the leader of the trio, deals with a lot more baggage however and she’s over the top at times. She’s quick to offer sexual favors in return for drugs or if she likes a guy who needs to be relieved of some stress.
Her mom, Laurie (Kathryn Hahn), knows she’s out of control over her dad being in prison and lets her get away with a lot of ill manners and behavior. With Laurie’s new boyfriend Bob (Tim Heidecker) living with them, Erica feels it’s just another mouth for her mom to feed and an all-around nuisance to her. The two are planning a marriage however, and that’s not something Erica wants to happen. Besides, Bob’s son Luke (Joey Morgan) is about to be sprung from a drug rehab center and that’s going to be one too many living in the house.
When her mom tells her a story about Luke being molested by a teacher named Will Jordan (Adam Scott), she and her girls encourage Luke to help them start a plan for revenge. Director and co-writer Max Winkler does a good job of working with his cast who fits nicely into the characters of his script. He has a master plan going from the very beginning that sets up a huge twist you won’t see coming. You’ll be walking out of the theater saying to friends or even yourself, “What just happened? Wow!”
As the wild and salacious Erica, Zoey Deutch plays her as a fast talking, confident and stubborn leader of the outcasts she hangs with. She uses them, yet protects them to bid her outlandish stunts. As a reward the money she gets for some of her misdeeds gets distributed even for trips to the mall, arcade and girly things. Whenever Deutch is on the screen she commands it and she makes the film work. She’s no stranger to her character here as she has had similar roles like Beverly in Everybody Wants Some, as Stephanie in Why Him, and Shadia in Dirty Grandpa.
It may be Joey Morgan’s first as one of the prominent characters in a film, but it shouldn’t be his last. As the intended stepbrother Luke, who has just been released from drug rehab for extensive oxy use, it’s a different world living with Erica’s family. Psychologically torn from being the subject of making a pedophile charge against his middle school teacher, he has not been able to come to grips with a ‘normal’ life. He’s obese, acne prone, shy and doesn’t have much going for him, but when he teams up with Erica, Luke starts to become a man.
As the 21st century continues to show a dark side and conscious libido of youth in film, it’s hard to get your head around what may be real and what is just fiction in the minds of the writers of Flower. Are the youth that are depicted here a figment of their imagination or real stories ripped from today’s news. The protagonist could have been either a male or female in this film, but the choice here continues to female underage characters to typify the angst in teens. It’s also evident by the recent films Patty Cake$, Lady Bird and Diary of a Teenage Girl. Just saying.
Flower has been rated R by the MPAA for crude sexual content and language throughout, graphic nude drawings, some drug content, and a brief violent image.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A twisted twist with very good acting. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Zoey Deutch, Kathryn Hahn, Tim Heidecker, Joey Morgan and Adam Scott
Directed and written by: Max Winkler
Genre: Comedy, Drama,
MPAA Rating: R for crude sexual content and language throughout, graphic nude drawings, some drug content, and a brief violent image
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Release Date: March 16, 2018
Distributed by: The Orchard
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
