Bono and his wife Ali Hewson didn't necessarily want their daughter to be a "performer," but she is definitely that-with bells on. And who would know the city of Dublin, Ireland, better than she would? She was born and grew up in Dublin, then moved to NYC to attend NYU (and now lives in Brooklyn). John Carney, this movie's Irish writer/director, also made the outstanding 2007 film, "Once," which is also about musicians and is set in Dublin. Carney and Hewson are almost uniquely suited to make a movie about these relationships (romantic and/or familial) in the capital city of the Republic of Ireland, and here's another from Mr. Carney and company: Flora & Son. It's not quite as strong as "Once," but I'll grant it an extra star for the performances by the leads, Eve Hewson & Joseph Gordon-Levitt (playing her online guitar teacher in L. A., of all things!). Despite both their innocent intentions, they start to enjoy the chemistry in their long-distance relationship. They play a pair of people, broken in some ways by the nature and failure of their biggest dreams (one as a professional musician and a wife and mother to musicians) to work out as they had hoped. The relationship between Ms. Hewson as Flora and her son "Max" is particularly problematic, as he has grown up living part-time with both parents and feeling a bit estranged from each of them (and getting into some trouble). I can only imagine that many children of divorce must be able to relate to this. (My own story was of a father who left before I was born.) Despite being a bit less good than 2 previous films by Mr. Carney, I believe that this one is worth your time watching for Ms. Hewson (and for Mr. Gordon-Levitt), so I'll give it 7/10.
Review of Flora and Son
