5 Flights Up (2014)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

That was an excellent one.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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.

The movie had potential...but I ended up falling asleep 20 minutes in. There was not much of a storyline, they had some cute, sad, funny parts- but not enough to keep me entertained. I was hoping with Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman there would be a great movie, their acting is great, and they played their part. But the sad thing is that there was not a lot to work with. The book hopefully was better, as I did not even see an ad for this movie- which means it did not generate enough reviews or popularity. In whole- a couple after 40 years looks to selling their apartment- right then and there that is the entire basis of this movie- no great dialogue or parts that make you want to watch. I never fall asleep watching a movie- and I dozed off. When I woke up- I rewinded to where I last was and realized I did not miss one single thing. I'd skip this movie unless you really like long...dull...movies.

How do you take something as humdrum as a routine real estate transaction and turn it into a wonderfully warm, human, humorous, thoroughly beautiful and enjoyable movie? Watch it and you'll see how. Morgan Freeman is imposing. Dianne Keaton is wonderful. The film captures the hectic spirit of New York City accurately and does so without guns, sex, violence or foul language. (Well, okay, the "F-word turns up once.) It also tells a lasting love story about an older couple without resorting to mawkishness or clichés. So, say you, I'm some sort of goody two shoes blue stocking. Not at all. I just appreciate beautiful stories well told by dedicated filmmakers. This joins my ten top favourites ("The Great Race is number one")and a movie I shall heartily recommend to family and friends. Delightful!! Wonderful!!!