Name: Flora and Son
Genre: Music, Comedy, Drama
Released: 2023-09-21T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jack Reynor, Marcella Plunkett

The opening scene of Flora and Son is a tour de force: Eve Hewson’s Flora, a fiery single mom in Dublin, wrestles with her rebellious teenage son Max over the clattering noise of a beat-up acoustic guitar. It’s a chaotic, intimate moment that sets the tone for John Carney’s latest musical comedy-drama—music as both conflict and cure.

Carney, who brought us Once and Sing Street, knows how to weave melodies into storytelling. Here, he uses music to bridge the gap between Flora (Hewson) and Max (Orén Kinlan), a petty thief whose antics land him in trouble with the Gardaí. Desperate to steer her son away from trouble, Flora impulsively buys a discarded guitar online, setting off a chain reaction of emotional discovery. Enter Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jeff, a washed-up LA musician turned online guitar teacher, whose virtual lessons become the lifeline this fractured family didn’t know they needed.

What works best in Flora and Son is its authenticity. Hewson, daughter of U2’s Bono, holds her own with genuine guitar skills and raw, unfiltered singing—no autotune, no safety net. Her performance is a revelation, grounding the film in gritty realism. She’s a force of nature, equal parts fierce and vulnerable, embodying Flora’s exhaustion, love, and frustration with palpable honesty. When she belts out an original song at a Dublin pub, her voice cracking with emotion, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of her journey.

Gordon-Levitt, too, brings warmth and levity to his role as Jeff, the charismatic guitar teacher who becomes an unexpected mentor. His chemistry with Hewson is electric, their virtual lessons bursting with humor and heart. A standout moment is when Jeff, mid-lesson, suddenly breaks into a spontaneous performance, his grin infectious as he encourages Flora to let loose. It’s a small scene, but it encapsulates the film’s spirit—music as joy, as connection, as salvation.

Orén Kinlan as Max delivers a nuanced performance that avoids the pitfalls of the “troubled teen” trope. He’s not just a rebellious brat; there’s depth to his frustration and longing, particularly in scenes where he hesitantly picks up the guitar, his fingers fumbling over the strings. The emotional core of Flora and Son lies in these quiet, unscripted moments—Max’s slow realization that music might be his way out.

Carney’s direction shines in the musical sequences, where camerawork and editing elevate simple performances into something transcendent. A standout moment is Flora’s solo gig at a Dublin pub, her voice trembling with vulnerability as she pours herself into the lyrics. The sound design here is immaculate—every strum of the guitar, every breathy note, pulls you closer. Carney’s use of close-ups during these scenes is particularly effective, capturing the rawness of Hewson’s performance and making the audience feel like they’re right there in the room.

Yet for all its strengths, Flora and Son stumbles in its pacing. The film’s second act drags slightly, bogged down by predictable beats and a few too many montages of Max practicing his chords. The script occasionally leans on clichés—think “music saves the day”—and some of the supporting characters, like Jack Reynor’s Ian, feel underdeveloped. Reynor’s role as Flora’s ex-boyfriend is reduced to little more than a plot device, a missed opportunity for deeper exploration of Flora’s past and her struggles as a single mother.

The film also suffers from occasional tonal whiplash. Carney attempts to balance humor, drama, and musical sequences, but the transitions between genres can feel jarring. A scene of Max getting into trouble with the Gardaí might be followed by a lighthearted exchange between Flora and Jeff, making it difficult to maintain emotional investment in any one moment.

Still, Carney’s signature charm wins out. Flora and Son may not break new ground, but it delivers what fans expect: a heartfelt, music-driven redemption tale with standout performances and catchy original songs. The film’s themes of family, loyalty, and self-discovery are woven seamlessly into the narrative, resonating with audiences who have ever struggled to find harmony in their own lives.

The soundtrack, composed by Carney and Gary Clark, is a standout feature. Original songs like “Heart” and “High Life” are catchy and emotionally resonant, enhancing the film’s storytelling without overshadowing it. Clark’s score, which blends traditional Irish instruments with modern beats, adds depth to the visuals, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Flora and Son is a film for music lovers, for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, and for those who believe in the power of second chances.