Directed by Rob Reiner

The teen romance film FLIPPED, based on a book by children author Wendelin Van Draanen is surprisingly charming and heart-warming and comes as no surprise as it comes from the director, Rob Reiner of feel-good movies like WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and THE PRINCESS BRIDE.  Like a mix of these two movies, FLIPPED is a fairy tale where romantic dreams come true.

But not at the beginning!  When the Loskis move into the neighbourhood, annoying Juli (Morgan Lily) shows up and makes her moves on young Bryce (Ryan Ketzner) who has no intention of returning her intentions, being only in Grade 2.  But he cannot get rid of her.  She follows him in school and makes his life unbearable though he tries countless ways to get rid of her.  Over the years, Juli (Madeline Carroll) continues to stalk Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) but eventually Juli’s character changes Bryce’s feelings for her.  But certain situations (the eggs) cause her to have second thoughts about him.  Like a Harlequin romance, the troubles get sorted out at the end.

The book and film offers the two protagonists presenting their perspective points of view on various events – like the dinner party, the sycamore tree incident and others.  Director Reiner repeats certain scenes alternating Juli’s and Bryce’s voiceovers to create this effect.  It works very well in the storytelling as the audience is impartial in taking the side of either the boy or the girl.

Reiner’s film has a theme that ahs a lot going for it.  Hardly anyone can dislike a film about first love or true love.  As the Juli character develops, (there is a lot of character development in this movie) and Bryce grows to love her, the feelings of the audience evlve from annoyance to admiration at the same time.  The audience grows to sympathize with the two leads, wishing that they come together as a couple.

Carrol and McAuliffe are plain wonderful as the two teens and Lily and Ketzner as the younger Jili and Bryce are even more winning.  Reiner minimizes the dark parts of the story.  Bryce’s dad’s past is only hinted at and never delved into and Juli’s retarded uncle is treated fairly affectionately.  The muted colours enhance the 70’s look of the film, creating a dreamlike nature that suits the fairy tale feel of the film.

The film only runs 90 minutes, and even shorter if one subtracts the repeated segements.  But Reiner film is efficient and to the point, with the