It’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen Rob Reiner step behind the camera (his last was The Bucket List in 2007). And it’s been much longer than that since he tackled one of the genres that made him famous: the nostalgic coming-of-age drama. But given the trailer for his latest film, Flipped, it looks like he’s firmly back in the comfort zone, even if he had to fiddle with the source material to get there.
Flipped, you see, is adapted from Wendelin Van Draanen’s novel of heartache, youthful longing and a girl-meets-boy tale that stretches across several years of high school.
But in Reiner’s version – for which he’s even written the screenplay, making this his first self-scripted film since **Spinal Tap **– he’s switched the contemporary setting to the 1950s/60s and split the focus between the novel’s Juli (Madeline Carroll) and the object of her affection, Bryce (Callan McAuliffe).
Though they seem to be absolute opposites (Bryce is largely straitlaced where Juli is more freewheeling), a connection occurs. Which somehow blossoms when puberty hits the pair.
With the likes of Anthony Edwards, John Mahoney, Penelope Ann Miller, Rebecca De Mornay and Aidan Quinn as reliable support, we’re hoping this one returns Reiner to proper form.
The trailer’s below, and while the film doesn’t have a set release date over here yet, it should reach these shores before the end of the year.
PS: If your name is Wendelin Van Draanaen, never, ever become a super villain. Everyone will know it’s you just from that awesome moniker.