5 Flights Up (2014)

Absolutely Fantastic

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

OverviewWhile 5 Flights Up touches on a handful of social issues, like gentrification, racial profiling, ageism, and racism to a certain degree, it pretty much is a light film dealing with an older couple trying to decide what's next in their lives?Characters & StoryFor over 40 years Ruth (Diane Keaton/ Claire van der Boom) and Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman/ Korey Jackson) have lived in Brooklyn and have been married. This is through her parents not fully accepting their daughter married a black man; Alex having confidence issues when it comes to their art; as well as a slew of other issues. But being that the neighborhood is changing, Alex not being as young as he used to be, and their apartment being worth 100s of thousands of dollars, there is the temptation to move on. Thus leading Mr. and Mrs. Carver to ask Ruth's niece, Lily (Cynthia Nixon), to help them perhaps sell their home.PraiseThere are so many reasons to like this film. The first being that the relationship between Ruth and Alex, whether it is Freeman and Keaton, or van der Boom and Jackson, is undeniably cute. For whether we are watching Jackson court van der Boom, and see her challenge her mother and sister when it comes to being happy for her, or else watching them, 40 years later, still fiercely in love, and highly protective of one another, it truly makes you "awe" to the point of envy.Then, on top of that, you have to appreciate the world presented in 5 Flights Up. One in which we see how Brooklyn is changing, and how many people are leaving in the process; how racial profiling of those of Islamic faith is being handled; and the different dynamics which come with the various perceptions people have due to age, race, and a handful of other things.Last thing worth mentioning is, the film doesn't necessarily end with what you may predict. For while the ending isn't certainly out of left field, or dramatic, it does seem to imply that we are more so being given a slice of life rather than something overdone and handed the occasional dramatic moment done solely to keep the audience interested.CriticismDespite what usually would be a setup to call the film boring, this film isn't that. However, I will say that this isn't the type of film where neither Freeman nor Keaton are trying to really put on the type of performance which would lead to accolades or a new go to in their filmographies. If anything, they seem to be doing this film for the joy of being working actors, and perhaps working with someone new.Outside of that, I must admit I wanted to see more of Zoe (Sterling Jerins), a girl Alex interacts with multiple times, for her relationship with Alex seemed quite cute. Also, considering Ruth and Alex don't have kids, and Zoe's situation, it would have been nice for her to be more than just someone Alex coincidentally saw twice in his life. But that critique is just a personal one.Overall: TV ViewingConsider this within the upper echelon of the TV Viewing label. For really, the only thing which kept this from being worth seeing is that, as much as I recognize the dog's importance, that subplot didn't do much for the film in my opinion. Then, when it comes to Ruth and Alex selling the apartment, and buying a new one, while seeing them as a couple was cute, them dealing with Lily, and trying to find a place, was perhaps the low point of the film. Low enough to keep this from being worth seeing.

A Happy Coupling of Solid, Dependable, Aging Thespians are given a Movie that does nothing to Challenge Their Abilities, in Fact it doesn't Challenge the Audience that much either.The Plot is Interwoven with Enough Ingredients to keep the Interest as it Taxi's from Gracefully Aging in an ever Changing World, Interracial Marriage, Terrorism, Childless Families with a Pet Surrogate, the Volatile Real Estate Market (specifically NYC), and a Few Sprinkles on Top.The most Charming Character comes in the Form of a Little Girl who is as Nice as Spice wearing both Naivete (turntables), and a Gift ("I know these things."). Her Part in the Story is very Brief, but Memorable. She is a Contrast to the other Characters that Bring with Them expected Adult Baggage.The Movie is Warm, has some Edge, and is Obviously Targeted for the Multitude of Baby Boomers Populating America. It is not Jaw Dropping Insightful on Anything and is more of an Easy Going Slice of Life with some Human Drama Nicely Paced and Well Mounted.Overall, it's a Slightly Better than Average Mainstream Movie with a Liberal Lean and is Inoffensive and Maybe even Medicinal for Medicare Members.Note...Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton Fans will not be disappointed.

For me, this movie was not boring at all. Throughout the entire flick there is tons of quirky bits of humor that pretty much had me laughing almost to tears, especially from Morgan Freeman's character. It's not a flashy movie, it's just a very heartwarming story with lots of added humor. It also is not one that I could watch over and over again, but that being said, I will be keeping it for future watches. I would not say it's Morgan Freeman or Diane Keaton's best movie, as they have been in so many brilliant roles, but I will say this...you see more a more humorous side of Morgan Freeman in this than most of his other ones, which is genuinely nice to see!I was pleasantly surprised by this, especially given that it has some quite negative reviews, I actually bypassed it a few times due to that...my mistake!

'5 FLIGHTS UP': Three Stars (Out of Five)Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton star in this drama flick, about an elderly couple that finally decide to move; out of the New York apartment they've spent their lives together in. The film was directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Charlie Peters. It was based on the 2009 novel, 'Heroic Measures' (by Jill Ciment), and it costars Cynthia Nixon (of 'SEX AND THE CITY' fame). I found the movie to be charming, and somewhat sweet, but nothing too memorable.Freeman and Keaton play Alex and Ruth Carver; an older couple that's lived in the same apartment, in New York, all of their time together. They've finally decided to move; largely due to the fact that their apartment is five flights up, and their apartment building has no elevator. Everyone they meet, interested in their home, is rude and annoying. Alex really doesn't want to move; and the couple also has to deal with real-estate issues, and their dog's poor health. There's not a lot to the film, other than some strong character development; and some even stronger acting. Freeman and Keaton are both fantastic, in the film together, and they have beautiful chemistry. Nixon is a scene-stealer, as well (and I've never seen 'SEX AND THE CITY'). There's never a lot going on, but the film is still always interesting; thanks largely to it's veteran cast.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/bOI7ZdxfHTQ