Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
Sean Pennâs latest directorial effort, FLAG DAY, received rapturous reception and a prolonged ovation when it had its world premiere screening at Cannes. His previous directorial efforts (Into the Wild, The Indian Runner to name just two) received critical acclaim, but this is the first time where Penn directs himself and, unselfishly, deflects much of the attention of his performance to highlight the talents of the leading lady (and real life daughter) Dylan Penn. Based on the Memoir âFlim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Fatherâs Counterfeit Lifeâ by Jennifer Vogel, this movie is essentially as old as time: a daughterâs unconditional love for her father.
John Vogel, played by Sean Penn, is a flawed individual. Whereas there is never any doubt that he unconditionally loves his daughter and son, he takes off for days on end and when heâs at home, he invites a criminal element into the household where he tends to wind up bloodied and beaten. John gets arrested almost immediately after robbing a bank and is incarcerated for 20 years.
In his absence, Jennifer (Dylan Penn) and her now turned into a raging alcoholic mother (Katheryn Winnick) argue incessantly. When the mother refuses to believe her daughterâs claim that she is being sexually-abused by her live-in boyfriend, Dylan leaves home. Living the streets for some time, Jennifer decides to pursue her dream of being a Journalist and studies the field. Reuniting with John who is now a mass of insecurities, pursuing get rich quick schemes and still lying like a trouper, we are subjected to too many scenes, shot in endless close-ups, with Jennifer trying to get the truth from her dad. These scenes are overwrought and laborious â itâs like a special edition of Dr. Phil.
Despite her limited screen experience, Dylan Penn registers nicely more often than not. Although she falters when the scenes go into melodramatic overdrive, I am somewhat receptive to see her again in a movie. The rest of FLAG DAY has very little to recommend. The Cinematography is dull and grainy, the Soundtrack is obtrusive and predictable. The holes in the Screenplay are as large as the craters in Sudbury. The audience never knows that John Vogel excels at printing extraordinary counterfeit bills until we learn he was arrested for printing extraordinary counterfeit bills! Director Sean Penn gave two-time Best Actor winner Sean Penn minimal to do and that is the saddest thing about FLAG DAY.
Renaissance Media release FLAG DAY is in theatres as follows:
August 27, 2021Â – Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver for exclusive runs
September 3, 2021Â – exclusive runs in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Victoria, Saskatoon, Regina, and Halifax
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