Flakes (2007)
Runtime: 84 mins
Theatrical Release: Dec 19, 2007 Limited
Synopsis: This quirky romantic comedy stars Aaron Stanford (X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND) as Neal Downs, a struggling musician, and Zooey Deschanel (ELF, ALMOST FAMOUS) as Miss Pussy Katz, his whimsical girlfriend and voice of reason. Living in New Orleans' historic French Quarter, Neal and Miss Katz are... This quirky romantic comedy stars Aaron Stanford (X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND) as Neal Downs, a struggling musician, and Zooey Deschanel (ELF, ALMOST FAMOUS) as Miss Pussy Katz, his whimsical girlfriend and voice of reason. Living in New Orleans' historic French Quarter, Neal and Miss Katz are bound for great things, with his passion for music and her artistic talent, but their fears and slacker attitudes are holding them back. By day Neal works in a corner café, Flakes, that sells only breakfast cereal. He serves up crunchy delights to curmudgeons and stoners alike, and he takes care of the managerial duties for the eccentric owner, Willie, portrayed endearingly by Christopher Lloyd (BACK TO THE FUTURE). Seeing that his day job is getting in the way of his dream, Miss Katz begs Neal to take some time off to finish his CD. Avoiding her request and his music, Neal becomes even more involved with Flakes and its unique clientele as a competing entrepreneur sets up shop across the street in the hopes of cashing in on the niche market. At her wits' end, Miss Katz turns to drastic measures and helps the competition in an attempt to sabotage Flakes and get Neal back to his music. Though all is fair in love and war, will her plan work or only tear them apart? Since he directed the mid-80s cult classic HEATHERS, Michael Lehmann has worked on acclaimed television series such as BIG LOVE, THE WEST WING, and THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW. Though Lehmann has also helmed features such as 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS and THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS, FLAKES feels closer to some of his small-screen work. In less capable hands, the characters in his film might feel average, but the talent of the actors prevails. Stanford, Deschanel, and Lloyd portray their roles with such inspiration and heartfelt dignity that one can't help but root for them. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Aaron Stanford, Keir O'Donnell, Ryan Donowho, Frank Wood
Screenwriter: Chris Poche, Karey Kirkpatrick
Director: Gary Winick
Producer: Jake Abraham, Mark Ross
Composer: Jon Ehrlich, Jason Derlatka
DVD Info
Release:
Jul 8, 2008
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Unspecified - English
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
The amazing Deschanel once again proves her astonishing ability to exist comfortably within a scene, as well as slightly above it.
There are a few sweet moments as the story reaches its unsurprising conclusion. But, all in all, Flakes isn't going to bowl you over.
Unless you happen to be one yourself, chances are pretty good that you'll take an immediate dislike to the self-satisfied hipsters who populate this disappointing comedy from Heathers director Michael Lehmann.
There's enough breezy charm on display to make it worth a look on cable, DVD or at a bargain matinee.
The characters Lehmann and company use as generational mouthpieces bear no relation to any people who have ever existed, and they barely work as parody. It's cool to see the old retro cereals on the restaurant shelf, though.
While the ghost of a bittersweet 'everyone's a sell-out' moral seems to haunt screenwriters Chris Poche and Karey Kirkpatrick's scruffy little romantic fable, it's buried under layers of forced quirkiness.
The surprise is how consistently entertaining Flakes is despite the dearth of star power, production value or innovative style.
A disappointingly superficial enterprise, given its undeservedly smug, countercultural airs.
A business course on cutthroat capitalism disguised as a slacker comedy: That’s the kindest way to describe Michael Lehmann’s Flakes.
This too-cool-for-school Singles wannabe could have been great, but it never really goes anywhere due to its poor execution
One look at Aaron Stanford's chain-smoking, long-haired musician in a Hanes t-shirt and you know Flakes wants so badly to be hip.
Some cute moments pepper the inane plot, but Flakes doesn’t have much snap, crackle or pop.
I hate to be so down on a comedy that comes from so many filmmakers and actors I admire, but this flick's about as satisfying as a bowl of soggy Corn Flakes.
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