Flower (I) (2017) User Reviews (91)

The first two acts of the movie are really interesting and involving.

[Hellmant · 7/10 · 13 April 2018]

'FLOWER': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

An indie comedy-drama about a troubled teenage girl who bonds with her mentally unstable step-brother, and helps him stalk a teacher that he says sexually assaulted him years earlier. The film stars Zoey Deutch, Joey Morgan, Kathryn Hahn, Tim Heidecker and Adam Scott. It was directed by Max Winkler, and it was written by Alex McAulay, Matt Spicer and Winkler (the script was on the Black List of the best unproduced screenplays in 2012). It's received mixed to negative reviews from critics, and it got a limited indie theatrical release at the Box Office. I enjoyed most of it.

A troubled and very sexually active teen, named Erica (Deutch), forms a unique friendship with her potential step-brother, Luke (Morgan). She finds out that he claims he was sexually abused, years earlier, by a frequent bowler at the bowling alley her and her friends hangout at, named Will (Scott). Erica and her friends then devise a plan to get revenge on Will, for what he did to Luke, and hopefully prevent him from doing it to anyone else. Things don't go as planned though, and Erica and Luke quickly find themselves in a lot of trouble.

The first two acts of the movie are really interesting and involving, and I actually cared about the characters and was intrigued by where the story was taking them. Then the final act of the film gets kind of cheesy and totally unrealistic. The conclusion is just too satisfying, and it doesn't seem true to the rest of the movie (in my opinion). I really like everything leading up to it though, especially Deutch in the lead (she gives a really strong performance in it). I also really like the supporting cast; Hahn, Scott and Heidecker are all really talented and totally likable actors. I just wish the movie had a different (better) ending.

Flower

[rockman182 · 7/10 · 20 March 2018]

A film I wouldn't have ever known about had I not been a film buff. Went in not knowing anything at all, which is actually a good thing. I'd like to do that more often just to have a clean slate and no expectations. I've got to say Zoey Deutch has never impressed me in any role. Either through the film sucking or her just not being spectacular she never shined. Finally, I can rate her in a role. Its not much different or completely out of left field for her but its a fine tuned performance. While the film is not perfect, and is let down at some moments its a good film.

The film is about a carefree high school girl who meets her future step brother. Her step brother comes out of rehab and seems to have a dark-ish past. A few events lead to the reveal that her future step brother had previously been molested by an older teacher. Thus begins the mission of Erica (Deutch) to coax the man and also get revenge on him for the past wrongdoings that he has committed. The film also stars Kathryn Hahn and Adam Scott.

As mentioned earlier Deutch is good in this. She is an at times grating character, so basically a typically teenager. Her performance is somewhat mesmerizing and has a bit of tragic happiness to it. The film is shot quit nicely and also seems to tackle a lot of issues that are tackled in teenage films often (orientation, sexuality, innocence, growing up love etc.). While I never found the film to be overly funny, I found it very entertaining until the last ten minutes.

I think there was a good chance to go for a remarkable finish to a very solid film that was really flubbed up by the mess of a reveal and end. It doesn't take too much away from an interesting product, but yes it could have been better. I still had fun with it. Its obscene but at the same time obscenely entertaining. This one isn't going to be making any waves, but if you're like me and like to see quality film I'd suggest checking this out. Its not smart, or profound but its a purely entertaining escape.

6.5/10

Loved it

[amgee-89551 · 7/10 · 7 June 2018]

I really enjoyed watching Flower. It was funny and shocking at times. I never got bored of watching it. That's a twist in the film that I didn't expect. Good acting from all the cast. Zoey Deutch was really great in the film. I hope Deutch will go on to have a big career because she's a very talented young actress. She steals every scene that she's in. I'm a fat dude actually got the fit girl at the end. I definitely recommend it. This film won't be for everyone but for me it was good film. I will definitely watch it again most definitely.

Sexist/Misogynistic junk written by wishful males

[Rose888777 · 24 October 2019]

Terrible film about a pretty girl who falls in love with her fat ugly half-brother. Uhhh yeah, only in movies written and made by wishful men! Pathetic plot with unbelievable characters who felt like caricatures.

central problem

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 8 November 2019]

Underaged Erica Vandross (Zoey Deutch) gives a cop a blowjob. With her two friends, they blackmail him for money. He's one of many. Rebellious Erica's flighty mom (Kathryn Hahn) is dating Bob who is bringing in his troubled son Luke after getting out of rehab. Luke reveals to Erica that he was molested by teacher Will Jordan (Adam Scott). Erica comes up with a plan to exact revenge.

There is a basic logic problem at the center of this movie. If Luke was molested by Will, it seems unlikely that Erica would be good bait for the trap. Luke needs to tell the reveal right from the start. The story would essentially be the same with some minor fixes and the logic problem would be solved. Second, I have come to a conclusion about Zoey Deutch. She's slightly too manic to be the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She is too jittery. This is probably as close as it's going to get. This movie is mostly fine. With a few changes, this would really good.

Everything was backwards

[rainabosniac · 6/10 · 13 June 2018]

I feel like Erica was quite a peculiar teenager, but it is understandable considering the fact that she didn't have a father and her mother was always in need of boyfriends. What weirded me out the most was how Erica's sex life started where it shouldn't have. I also hated the easy way she could talk about blackmail. She only realised the seriousness of her actions when her freedom was in question. But, I did have a love-hate relationship with her. I liked her for her strenght of character and the way she didn't care what people thought of her, but I didn't like the fact that that made her do illegal things.

Cute movie!

[sammybuzz-45443 · 7/10 · 16 June 2018]

I bet zoey is the next drew barrymore... She's so cute and the movie is kinda nice.... Just watch it without any expectations or comparisons to other movies out there and you'll enjoy this one.

Unpredictable & weird af

[tracyradsvick · 7/10 · 29 April 2023]

As other reviewers say, yes this is unsettling. Like Kids and Welcome to the Dollhouse. I love that it reflects a part of reality that we may never think about or consider. The ending was a little over the top for my taste, but the acting was great. My partner kept asking why Adam Scott would play this role. Because he likes a challenge I guess. All of the acting was really good, especially the main character (first time seeing this actress but her part is beautifully played and believable). The storyline could improve, but we just don't get unpredictable movies anymore! Personally, I'm happy to exchange a good (unrepulsive) plot for an unpredictable plot.

Mess

[Eaksoy-958-353012 · 3/10 · 16 March 2018]

My advice is go to this movie for the first 30 minutes to see the stellar performances and then immediately leave and don't look back and whatever you do don't stay for the last 20 minutes. This movie is a horribly written film school mess with a clear dissonance between all creative components. Great acting, a seemingly decent director who /tried/ their best but with a script that feels like it structured through mad libs not even they could save it.

Teens learning the harsh realities of adulthood

[echaczyk · 6/10 · 20 January 2020]

This movie is a totally "in your face" teen drama about some precocious kids taking on the adult world and coming to age.

Great acting by Zoey Deutch made me want to stay with this movie to the end. The story was a somewhat teens vs. adults scenario where the adults are played as buffoons and the teens have all the smarts in the world. The movie does keep moving. The only dull and stupid spot is near the end. And it is a shame that the lightheartedness of the first half of the movie became dark and heavy in the second half. But that was more because the writer wanted to show the teens facing adult problems and having to grow up quickly when faced with a harsh reality.

Actress Zoey Deutch plays Erica Vandross, a 17 year old that loves to give oral sex. Most of the time it's blackmail because she's underage and for the saintly reason of trying to raise money to bail her dad from jail for trying to rob a casino. Her dad is the only male she loves. Her mother seems to be totally unaware of her daughter's sexual shenanigans because she is too busy trying to line up a new boyfriend for herself. That new boyfriend comes with an 18 year old, Luke Sherman, just released out of a drug rehab/suicide prevention clinic. Why was he there? Luke states that he was sexually molested by a male teacher, Will Jordan (played by Adam Scott) but no one believed him. Upon release from the clinic, Luke is offered a job by Erica, which he turns down, but explains his problem to her. So she and a group of her friends decide to take down Will Jordan whose life is in shambles because of the sexual molestation allegation. Erica drugs the ex-teacher but after talking to him begins to feel that perhaps her future step-brother, Luke, is indeed a habitual liar. Too late. The drug takes effect and Will Jordan falls into a glass topped coffee table. Erica and her female gang then pose the teacher for some blackmail photographs. The next day, police are at Erica's house because a neighbor saw the likes of her and Luke at the teacher's house. Luke confesses to her that he wasn't molested but did see the teacher molesting another female. Feeling that perhaps they went too far, Erica and Luke head back to Will Jordan's house to make amends. But they find Will dead with a piece of the coffee table in his back. Knowing that they would be arrested for murder, Luke has the bright idea to drive to Mexico. On the run and finding out that Erica's dad was released from jail and that he never contacted her, Erica deems Luke as her new male friend and confidant and has first-time sex with him. The kids are eventually caught and Luke, being over 18, takes the jail time, which is lessened because more people have come forward with molestation charges against the teacher. Erica now adores him as her new alpha male.

Zoey Deutch's acting talents surpass the movie by a mile or two

[paul-allaer · 4/10 · 31 March 2018]

"Flower" (2017 release; 93 min.) brings the story of Erica and her family and friends. As the movie opens, Erica and two friends expose and blackmail a cop who accepted a blowjob from Erica, a 17 yr. old minor. We then get to know Erica's mom, with whom Erica is close, and her mom's boyfriend Bob, whose 18 yr. old son Luke is being released from rehab and moves in as well. Luke claims that years ago he was molested by his teacher Will, and when they run into Will at the bowling alley, they decide that justice needs to be served. Did Will molest Luke? What becomes of Erica and Luke? At this point we're 15 min, into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to eee for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut of co-writer and director Max Winker, best known for his TV work. Here he brings the tale of a rebellious and well-meaning 17 yr. old girl who manages to get herself into trouble time and again. The movie benefits tremendously from Joey Deutch's acting talents, but alas the movie suffers visibly from a lack of focus. I mean, this is really three movies in one, as the focus shift and one movie becomes another one, before it becomes yet another movie again. By the end, the story has become utterly improbable and, frankly, preposterous. And that's a shame, as there are some good elements in the movie. But it is clear that Zoey Deutch's acting talents surpass the movie by a mile or two, There are some great songs in the movie, including a very nice cover of "Daydream" (the 1969 hit single of the Belgian band the Wallace Collection) by a guy I've never heard of before.

"Flower" premiered a year ago at the Tribeca Film Festival, and finally opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this past weekend, No idea why it has taken so long to get a theatrical release, but better late then never I suppose. The Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended poorly (4 people in total, including myself), and given that this movie won't benefit from strong word-of-mouth, this will not be playing long in theaters. In the end, "Flower' is notable only to see Zoey Deutch, but I encourage you to check it out, be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Oddly hilarious and more enjoyable than what most said

[UniqueParticle · 8/10 · 24 August 2020]

Zoey Duetch is delightful I really like her energy! I don't understand the hate Flower got, the humor is great and story is solid. Kinda weird in some aspects like how the main character is obsessed with innuendo/crude things and how the plot is about catching predators. The music is magnificent, quite ambient with peculiar vibes!

Funny movie for dinner

[mostafa_alinejad · 7/10 · 23 March 2018]

This movie is another Zoe movie which is funny and suitable for a meal time rather than going to the cinema

You won't want to plant this 'Flower'!

[dvd4040 · 2/10 · 8 February 2018]

Sometimes you get a film that seems so good on paper, but after you watch it, you can't help but be sorely disappointed in just about everything you've witnessed. 'Flower' is that kind of movie that had a lot of potential, but just couldn't get it together for anyone to really relate to, even though it tried to be realistic. The film was directed by Max Winkler who hasn't really done anything before this, and was written by three male writers, which is weird, because the main characters are female, which causes some strange dialogue for sure.

The story centers on a teenage girl named Erica (Zoey Deutch, the chick from 'Everybody Wants Some'), who is a fast talking, inappropriate young woman who loves to eat at the bowling alley, draw penises in her notebook, and give anyone blowjobs that crosses her path. She seems to love giving blowjobs, but she blackmails everyone she does it to for all the cash they have with the help of her two dumb friends who sneak up on her victims with their camera phones. Erica's mother (Kathryn Hahn) is trying to pick up the pieces of recent breakups and Erica's biological dad who is in jail for something "awesome", but she has new boyfriend now named Sherm who comes with a teenage son who is awkward to say the least.

Erica has no intention of being nice to this new kid who has moved in, but she changes her tune when she walks in on him trying to commit a ridiculous suicide attempt. From here, she learns that her future step brother has problems due to a former teacher who has molested him, which is the same person (Adam Scott), she has the hots for at the bowling alley. She tries to conceive a plan to blackmail this guy who has a different story of things. This is where the film turns into a ridiculous 'Very Bad Things' situation for no real reason at all and it just gets more disgusting from there. The problem here is that the writers and director failed to make Erica and her friends likable or redeeming in any way, shape or form.

Right form the get-go, you hate this girl and her friends. You'd think if this was a coming-of-age film, there would be some sort of redeeming quality or someone would learn a thing or two, but not here. Everyone is just so annoying, unfunny, and just awful people, with the exception of Sherm and Erica's mother. With this aspect, you can't expect to love or connect with the main protagonist at all. Even if this movie was in the remote bit realistic (it definitely isn't), it still would seem far-fetched and unlikable.

As for the performances themselves, I really like Zoey Deutch and she plays this part very well, but the character just gets in the way of being any sort of charming or witty. Adam Scott is fantastic in a role that's very subtly off in a bad way and he kills it in every frame. Hahn again is excellent too as the frazzled mother. 'Flower' should have been a great film, but due to the super unlikable characters and the film taking an over-the-top turn, there's just no redeeming part about it.

Don't expect realism

[jfgibson73 · 6/10 · 23 January 2022]

I would say this movie was more of a drama than it is a comedy. The main character, Erica, keeps things amusing for most of the duration with her Juno-like wit, but it doesn't have many actual laugh-out-loud moments. For the most part, it's a fun story and very well paced--it draws you in right away and keeps the plot moving constantly. However, the 17-year-old female protagonist felt more like a male fantasy than an actual person. It didn't stand out as much for the first two acts, but by the time it was all wrapped up, it felt like this very much came from the mind of a white male daydreaming about the excitement of spending time with an underage Manic Pixie Dream Girl. I can't deny that it had entertaining stretches, though, so it was worth a watch.

Very lovable

[cilinpenny · 7/10 · 13 July 2018]

It's not a masterpiece but definitely not boring or poorly made. This one's for pure fun

Does not deserve the current low rating

[tasseled · 7/10 · 29 October 2018]

A weird and original movie that is part witty comedy and part meaty drama. There are so many sides to it. It is an exploration of women taking control of their sexuality, but still being vulnerable to its darker side. A dialogue about abuse of underage kids by people in power. A portrait of fragmented families and parental abandonment. Depression, suicide, and hope. It's a quirky, but full-of-heart, film that does not preach its message to the audience. Both me and my husband thoroughly enjoyed Flower. It does not deserve the low rating here.

A movie beyond words

[rugle1 · 2 December 2020]

I found this movie to be almost beyond comment; other than to say, there is no redeeming quality that would justify anyone watching this film. This movie, including, the so called acting, is a disgustingly profane and immoral piece of celluloid.

Do not understand the negative reviews

[JShaft33 · 7/10 · 11 July 2020]

This isn't a happy story but Erika's life is a lot more common than many realize. Young people that have trouble processing their parents physical/emotional abandonment and act out in troubling ways.

A lot of people won't like this movie because they only want to watch pleasant things. Stick with this for an interesting result.

Strong beginning poor ending.

[JA_006 · 4/10 · 21 September 2020]

I agree with most of the other reviewers here, the beginning story and acting were amazing. Set a great foundation and buildup was enthralling. However the middle and end, can't even say came up short, but totally bombed. Was going to give the movie an 8 for acting, and story, but the ending gets it only a 4.

Zoey Shines: Comedy can be serious business!

[dfloro · 6/10 · 15 July 2022]

This comedy, which starts out as a relatively lightweight high school romp and turns much deeper and darker, is directed by Max Winkler, son of Henry and Stacey Winkler. It stars the delightful Zoey Deutch, daughter of director Howard Deutch and ("Back to the Future") actress Lea Thompson. And another character is portrayed by Romy Byrne, daughter of actors Gabriel Byrne and Ellen Barkin. So one may assume these Hollywood kids know a lot of this material first hand. The always good Adam Scott and Kathryn Hahn (as Zoey's mom) are able to provide much-needed support, especially after the film's more serious turn. Not exactly a twist ending, but no less complicated/unpredictable as it would be if it had that. Because of some of the hiccups in the writing (never mind the plot), I have to subtract a star for a 6/10 rating. But if you haven't seen Zoey Deutch yet in other roles, it's a fair way to discover her considerable talent.

fundraising the hard way

[ferguson-6 · 4/10 · 22 March 2018]

Greetings again from the darkness. Despite being early in her career, actress Zoey Deutch has often been the highlight of her film projects. Although that sounds like a good thing, in her case it speaks not just to her talent, but also the quality of those choices. Her father is director Howard Deutch and her mother is Lea Thompson, so her industry bloodlines run deep. Her eyes and smile are truly luminescent on the big screen, where she comes across as a natural. It's now time for her take control of her career. Muck like this latest make us question whether she is a next level talent.

Director Max Winkler (son of Henry "The Fonz" Winkler) co-wrote the script with Matt Spicer (a terrific INGRID GOES WEST) and Alex McAuley, and they are fortunate to have such talent as Ms. Deutch, Kathryn Hahn and Adam Scott. A profane, voyeuristic exercise in disturbed behavior becomes something nearly watchable when these three and newcomer Joey Morgan are on screen.

Ms. Deutch plays Erica, a motor-mouthed (in more ways than one) force of nature teenager whose 'BJ's for Dad's bail' involves seducing older men and then extorting money from them after Erica's posse catches them on camera. Oh, and she keeps a sketch book of her victims ... no, not their faces. The fundraising approach to springing her dad from jail is difficult to accept, but Deutch sells it as best she can. Her mother (Kathryn Hahn) is desperately trying to build a relationship with Bob (Tim Heidecker), whose son Luke (Joey Morgan) is being released after a lengthy rehab stint for pills.

Luke is a hefty young man who finds solace in food and little else. He and Erica could keep multiple therapists busy for years. His problems are exacerbated by an improper school incident involving Will Gordon, a teacher played by Adam Scott. Coincidentally, this same teacher has been labeled "Old Hot Guy" by Erica and her friends at the bowling alley. Once she learns about Luke's history with the pedophile, Erica plots an evil revenge. You can probably imagine where it goes from there.

Those same eyes and smile mentioned in my first paragraph even light up when Erica describes herself as "the d*** whisperer". It's this kind of moment that finds us hoping Ms. Deutch and her agent quickly learn to distinguish between edgy indie project and trashy script not likely to lead to more work. This is an uncomfortable movie to watch, but not in the way where we walk out feeling enlightened. The title does deserve applause because even the scratchiest and toughest flower has a delicate side.

Pervbusters!

[Darth_Osmosis · 8/10 · 31 May 2018]

This is one of the most offbeat and weird movies I have seen in a while, in a good way! It's funny, raunchy, and really unpredictable. It also manages to be sweet(in a kinda weird, but still!), which I didn't think it would.. Not for everyone, but if you are up to seeing something different and aren't easily offended, give it a shot!

What

[scottelbert · 7/10 · 24 July 2020]

During this covid times and being stuck inside. I have watched all the good stuff and a log of Bad. This is in between. I did not know what to expect when watching this movie. It is weird and strange but decent.

Absolutely Terrible

[jacksoupcan · 2/10 · 5 January 2020]

This movie starts with an idiotic premise and doubles down on the stupidity with a plot that is completely illogical and turns that make you want to turn off the movie. None of the characters are likable in the least unless you are a creepy old man like the three writers of this film. I'm not a prude if the lewdness actually adds to the plot or helps illuminate the lives of the characters but these characters are too shallow for any of their actions to actually make you feel anything.

I think the worst thing I can say about this movie is that it feels like you are watching a bad movie. It's not fun or immersive and the last 20 minutes will have you wishing you turned it off long ago.