*Not REALLY a spoiler.*
Coming from someone who has personally dealt with this issue, it is extremely true to life. I could see how a person who hasn't been on either end of the spectrum could be quick to judge films about addiction (for example, thinking "that wouldn't happen or she/he would never do that). But believe me, it does and they do. While this isn't the best film I've seen dealing with addiction, it is an amazing portrayal of how addiction is a family disease (especially w/codependence) and is so so brutal. Abbi Jacobson nailed her role, as did Dave Franco.
As for the actual "film", I thought it was really well done. There's a kind of narrative throughout this that I liked a lot. I prefer a character study and good plot/story over a big budget, full of explosions and car chases movie. So if you're looking for that sort of thing you may not enjoy this as much as myself.
So yes, definitely recommend:)
37 Reviews
Not Perfect - But Raw, Real, And Incredibly Tense
neener37076 April 2018
While it wasn't perfect, I can say from the personal experience of having spouse addicted to heroin, that this film honestly and truly captures the emotional horror and torment involved. Again its not perfect, but much of it is incredibly raw, emotional, and truthfully portrays drug addiction and how it affects people involved. The film centers around a woman who discovers her brother has relapsed on heroin, and embarks on a brutal journey to get him to a detox center, while at the same time dealing with her own life. The film perfectly portrays the duality of a person who has an addicted spouse, being emotionally torn between your own life and the spouse you love and want to get better. The tone is extremely thick with turmoil, suspense, and emotional intensity. Portraying a spouse who will literally do anything to help her sick brother. I can say from personal experience that this film gets very many things right, nails them even.
Now, because I'm a adult white man, I was never really the demographic for Broad City, so I never watched it or wanted to. But I found Abby Jacobson's performance to be excellent, a woman torn between her life and her drug addicted brother, feeling in a void between the two. Dave Franco's performance as the drug addict is also authentically played, kudos to him. Some of the dialog between members of the family is pretty average and nothing special but what is special is the dialog and intensity between the brother addict and the sister. Their dialog is many of the things I said to my spouse who was addicted to heroin, as well as the way others talk to the brother and sister, the pharmacy scene hits it right on the nose, very accurate. So all in all I like the film even though not every aspect was perfect, I found it very raw and emotional and would highly recommend it as a watch.
Now, because I'm a adult white man, I was never really the demographic for Broad City, so I never watched it or wanted to. But I found Abby Jacobson's performance to be excellent, a woman torn between her life and her drug addicted brother, feeling in a void between the two. Dave Franco's performance as the drug addict is also authentically played, kudos to him. Some of the dialog between members of the family is pretty average and nothing special but what is special is the dialog and intensity between the brother addict and the sister. Their dialog is many of the things I said to my spouse who was addicted to heroin, as well as the way others talk to the brother and sister, the pharmacy scene hits it right on the nose, very accurate. So all in all I like the film even though not every aspect was perfect, I found it very raw and emotional and would highly recommend it as a watch.
Eh
kimberlykennedy-4552615 April 2018
Gut wrenching
kierrasara10 June 2018
This story is about a sister's love for her Brother and how much she sacrifices for him. There is no big event or a climax in the movie however it does bring you on her journey. You feel her pain, her disappointment, her anger. It's a good movie. Those who have or had someone they love with a drug addiction will find this story all too familiar and for those who don't, this shines a light on what they go through.
A Gut-Wrenching/Feel-Good Movie!
AhmedSpielberg997 April 2018
I want to know why Marja-Lewis Ryan insisted to merge a philosophical message with the storytelling. This decision could easily ruin the entire film because it is done terribly! That harmed the tone, the pacing, That made the movie has scenes that are so long for its own good. Also, the movie didn't need to be more than one hour long or even less than one hour long.
Fortunately, there are many great thing that made 6 Balloons so special for me; but it's being very realistic is what made this movie really good. The movie is an emotional journey that is very effective. It's a moving story that will tug at your heartstrings.
The dialogue is what made the movie very realistic, but the direction is what made the movie a brutal journey that captures the emotional horror involved.
Dave Franco was great as the addicted bother, Seth. He really made me very nervous! Abbi Jacobson ,who played Katie, Seth's sister, did an awesome job; her reactions and her dramatic moments are reasonable.
(7/10)
Fortunately, there are many great thing that made 6 Balloons so special for me; but it's being very realistic is what made this movie really good. The movie is an emotional journey that is very effective. It's a moving story that will tug at your heartstrings.
The dialogue is what made the movie very realistic, but the direction is what made the movie a brutal journey that captures the emotional horror involved.
Dave Franco was great as the addicted bother, Seth. He really made me very nervous! Abbi Jacobson ,who played Katie, Seth's sister, did an awesome job; her reactions and her dramatic moments are reasonable.
(7/10)
Too much emphasis on technicals rather than story
ialtman8821 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
True this hits home in dealing with someone who has an addiction, I think there was too much emphasis on making this a "beautiful" movie and not enough on the plot. The voiceover of the audiobook, the random close ups (Jacobson's chin???), and the constant blank stare acting (like Katie staring into the distance with her mouth open) made the pacing very slow. I was prepared to be reaching for tissues but I felt surprisingly little emotion (little...not none). I really just wish it was better but overall I was disappointed.
Having a junkie in the family
deloudelouvain27 April 2018
6 balloons is about Kathy (played by Abbi Jacobson) finding out that her brother Seth (played by Dave Franco) has relapsed in his heroin addiction and this just before organizing a birthday party for her husband. It's a believable drama about dealing with a junkie in the family. Well almost believable. You can see his suffering while going cold turkey and her suffering with the dilemma between helping her brother score drugs or bringing him to a rehabilitation center instead. The suffering is believable, but for a hardcore junkie they could have said something about the constant lying, about the stealing, and about the physical signs of deterioration due to addiction. He looked well to clean to pass as a heroin addict. The acting was good, the story also, but it could have used a bit more drama to me to make it more real. Good enough to watch once though.
Not sure what the message is
Gordon-1124 June 2018
This film tells the story of a young woman who discovers that her brother is back on heroin.
As she drives around for a detox centre, it is clear that she really wants him to stay abstinent from heroin. However, the film takes a turn and then I just got confused. Is she becoming complicit of the crimes? Later, she changes her mind again. I got really confused.
In addition, the audio book and underwater scenes that keep on being played are really annoying. It brings the whole mood down, and truncates the continuity of the story. I must have missed some important imagery and messages. I was not sure what the message of the film is.
As she drives around for a detox centre, it is clear that she really wants him to stay abstinent from heroin. However, the film takes a turn and then I just got confused. Is she becoming complicit of the crimes? Later, she changes her mind again. I got really confused.
In addition, the audio book and underwater scenes that keep on being played are really annoying. It brings the whole mood down, and truncates the continuity of the story. I must have missed some important imagery and messages. I was not sure what the message of the film is.
Don't watch
kcgt-6909724 April 2018
Worst thing I've seen in a long time. Didn't think a short movie would seem so long. I felt like this movie owes me a year free year of Netflix for watch this garbage. With all the other shit movies to watch on Netflix pick something else.
93 ballons missing
kosmasp4 August 2021
In case you don't get the reference/joke, I am talking about the song 99 balloons. I can't imagine that song never being unknown ... but hey what do I know right? What I don't know, but seems quite accurate, is how much love there can be for an addict. Someone you may think is not deserving of that love ... but maybe you'd see it differently if you were related to that person.
Well told and structured, the movie lives off the performances of the main actors. The highs and lows - the addiction, the drama and the caring. And the suspense ... to see where it leads or if it gives you any sort of satisfaction/relieve.
Well told and structured, the movie lives off the performances of the main actors. The highs and lows - the addiction, the drama and the caring. And the suspense ... to see where it leads or if it gives you any sort of satisfaction/relieve.
6 Balloons review
JoeytheBrit5 May 2020
Relentlessly bleak and downbeat tale of how one young man's heroin addiction impacts on the life and mental health of those around him - in particular, his sister, who finds herself incapable of deserting him even though she knows he's beyond help. Not exactly entertaining viewing, but the two leads are very good.
Review is Misleading
jesse_derrick_darling17 May 2018
The low review for this movie is so misleading.
Yes, it could be considered underwhelming in terms of drama and action if that's what you're looking for. It isn't Trainspotting 3 and was never meant to be. It's focus was on emotion and the hold that drug use can have on a family. It was real and not pumped up for the sake of making it a more exciting movie.
The performances, music, and story were fantastic. It's worth a watch. It will suck you in and really gets across the emotions that everyone in a family goes through when a member battles addiction.
Yes, it could be considered underwhelming in terms of drama and action if that's what you're looking for. It isn't Trainspotting 3 and was never meant to be. It's focus was on emotion and the hold that drug use can have on a family. It was real and not pumped up for the sake of making it a more exciting movie.
The performances, music, and story were fantastic. It's worth a watch. It will suck you in and really gets across the emotions that everyone in a family goes through when a member battles addiction.
Powerful but lean
labng23 August 2019
This really drives home the revolving door lifestyle of an addict and how others around them get sucked into the same pattern. It ultimately felt like an extended and brutal PSA. I think it would have been better served with a little more fleshing out.
This film will be underrated for lack of drama
nash-617349 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This film is so perfect in its simplicity. It does not have the sickness scenes of trainspotting or the sexy stab in the chest of pulp fiction. This is a very real story of one night, there is really minimal drama in the way that it has not been exaggerated for the screen.
Abbie Jacobson is incredible, she is torn and loves her brother how most of us would.
Dave Franco was great, honestly that was a surprise, he was endearing and normal but something had just gone wrong.
It was interesting that you never really understood why this might have happened, there were nods to the overbearing mother, which I felt definitely impacted Abbie's character, but what was not made clear was where the daughters mother was.
That little girl was also great, especially in the scene where they go to score.
I really found the pharmacy scene uncomfortable and I'm not sure of what recovery support is available in America but in the UK the pharmacy's are desperate to be part of the recovery community so that was hard to see.
Watching the impacts of these people life unfold over the night was really uncomfortable but not in a bad way, in the way that we should feel uncomfortable.
I really liked the mindfulness narrative, it seemed to fit well.
I thought this film was perfect, I am disappointed with the IMDB rating but this is it a film that glamourises drug use, it's a film about relationships.
I thought this film was perfect, I am disappointed with the IMDB rating but this is it a film that glamourises drug use, it's a film about relationships.
Hits Home
MovieHead12320 April 2018
I am very picky with the indie genre because there's usually not much going on. And sometimes, writers try to be so "artistic" that there is no moral to the story, so it just blatantly stinks. This movie, though... It hit home. My brother, who is my best friend, is an addict. Throughout the film, I found myself relating to the main character and her relationships with the people around her, including her brother. Dave Franco is a great actor, just like his brother. He did spectacular. He portrayed his character so well. I'm usually used to seeing him in comedies. It just goes to show how great he is that he can play a more serious roll brilliantly as well.
Important take during on a very real issue.
shannanics327 April 2018
This was not easy or perhaps even enjoyable to watch. But it's rawness and honesty about the opioid epedimic that affects so many young lives in America is what makes it so important and is the reason why everyone should in fact watch it.
Very powerful and captivating performance by both Abbi Jacobson and Dave Franco.
Very powerful and captivating performance by both Abbi Jacobson and Dave Franco.
Surprisingly very good...
asc8524 November 2018
I say "surprisingly" because I usually rely on Metacritic scores, which were just OK for this one, with less than 10 reviewers being counted on for their score. But at just 74 minutes, it was so short that I wanted to watch it. And even though I knew it was a drama, I like Abbi Jacobson from "Broad City," and wanted to see what she would be like in this role. She was very good, as was Dave Franco, who I don't normally care for. And there was a real chemistry between the two of them. "6 Balloons" is intentionally uncomfortable to watch, but it was a good story, and very well-acted by everyone, but especially by Jacobson and Franco.
Solid and Pretty Damn Realistic
Dragonborn6430 January 2019
This movie was very accurate
bernardbrown-7771827 August 2018
This was a great film that showed the life of what the addict goes through and also the life of what the family goes through. This movie is very accurate to what goes on in real life. Being close to someone who was addicted to heroin this movie was an accurate description of the diffrent phases I saw him go through.
It really shows how the sister was willing to do anything for her brother. A relationship between a brother and a sister is probably one of the closest relationships you can have. And even though I did not intially like the voice narative, chapter one, chapter two...in the end it came together and made perfect sense.
I definitely recommend this movie. It's really sad, especially if it hits home for you. But it opens up your eyes and helps you realize what you sometimes do, what you can do and what you probably should do in a situation like this.
It really shows how the sister was willing to do anything for her brother. A relationship between a brother and a sister is probably one of the closest relationships you can have. And even though I did not intially like the voice narative, chapter one, chapter two...in the end it came together and made perfect sense.
I definitely recommend this movie. It's really sad, especially if it hits home for you. But it opens up your eyes and helps you realize what you sometimes do, what you can do and what you probably should do in a situation like this.
Film as a form of ART
poufrancisco-8-33606930 June 2018
Freak out movie
flash_m2718 June 2021
Is not a regular movie is not the typical holliwood movie. Woow, since Requiem for a dream, I can't remeber a drug movie that I've seen that that really freaks me out, you would not like it, if you don't like drama, it's a regular drama, slow but tells. But in a way since the begining of the Story I am waiting for hope or death.
Addiction at its finest
nurseao3 September 2018
This movie shows addiction and how it effects the family of addicts raw and uncut. It is about a sisters unconditional love for her brother. I almost didn't watch because of the reviews, however, those who have never been through this will never understand it.
A really believable take on what it's like to deal with a loved one who has an addiction!
Hellmant13 April 2018
'6 BALLOONS': Four Stars (Out of Five)
An indie drama about a woman who learns that her brother has relapsed into his former heroine addiction, and then has to desperately take care of him. It stars Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Tim Matheson and Jane Kaczmarek. The film was written and directed by actress turned first time feature filmmaker Marja-Lewis Ryan, and it was produced by Channing Tatum. It's received unanimous positive reviews from critics so far, and it was released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found it to be very well made and effective.
Katie (Jacobson) is busy trying to get ready for a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend. She's also babysitting her niece, and giving the girl's father, her brother Seth (Franco), a ride. Upon picking Seth up, Katie realizes that he's on heroine again (and he's obviously relapsed back into his former addiction). Katie tries to take him to a rehab facility, and get back to her party, but Seth keeps creating obstacles that prevent her from doing this.
I really like how the film takes place all in one hectic night, and it's extremely fast paced. It's short and to the point. Both Franco and Jacobson are really good in their roles, and they really make you care for their characters. The movie is also a really believable take on what it's like to deal with a loved one who has an addiction. It's heartfelt and hard to watch, but it's definitely worth it. I really enjoyed the movie, despite how dark and disturbing it is at times, and I definitely recommend giving it a watch on Netflix (it's only 75 minutes long)!
An indie drama about a woman who learns that her brother has relapsed into his former heroine addiction, and then has to desperately take care of him. It stars Abbi Jacobson, Dave Franco, Tim Matheson and Jane Kaczmarek. The film was written and directed by actress turned first time feature filmmaker Marja-Lewis Ryan, and it was produced by Channing Tatum. It's received unanimous positive reviews from critics so far, and it was released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found it to be very well made and effective.
Katie (Jacobson) is busy trying to get ready for a surprise birthday party for her boyfriend. She's also babysitting her niece, and giving the girl's father, her brother Seth (Franco), a ride. Upon picking Seth up, Katie realizes that he's on heroine again (and he's obviously relapsed back into his former addiction). Katie tries to take him to a rehab facility, and get back to her party, but Seth keeps creating obstacles that prevent her from doing this.
I really like how the film takes place all in one hectic night, and it's extremely fast paced. It's short and to the point. Both Franco and Jacobson are really good in their roles, and they really make you care for their characters. The movie is also a really believable take on what it's like to deal with a loved one who has an addiction. It's heartfelt and hard to watch, but it's definitely worth it. I really enjoyed the movie, despite how dark and disturbing it is at times, and I definitely recommend giving it a watch on Netflix (it's only 75 minutes long)!
Engaging; authentic; underrated; good screen writing
parnildh25 February 2020
The relationship between a sister and a brother can be tricky. They bicker with each other. But also immensely love each other. You cannot abandon your brother when he is in a crisis even when you are fed up. But sometimes you have to make tough choices.
Good character-arc. Loved the boat analogy. Good acting. Underrated.
Good character-arc. Loved the boat analogy. Good acting. Underrated.
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