The Education of Fredrick Fitzell (2020) User Reviews

If Understood Correctly, It Might Take a Permanent Place Deep-down Your Conciousness.

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 8/10 · 9 July 2021]

Psychedelic, Hallucinogenic, or Outright Bizarre; those would be the words the majority of the viewers will be spitting out following their time with "Flashback". Guess what? This enunciates more than it may come off on the exterior! Not without its caveats but still a resonating piece of art; that if understood correctly, it may well take a permanent place deep-down your consciousness.

"It is never too late to correct our mistakes. And if we do not, we risk repeating them"

At some point in our lives, each one of us more or less faces existential dread. What am I doing? Is it all worth it? Am I on the right track? Concerns like that slowly take over your mind; seek to cripple us from the inside. If not dealt with at the right time, an inevitable collapse into madness or something worse than that awaits in the offing.

While taking obvious cues from Magic Realism, Flashback attempts to throw light upon the root causes of such traumatic & agonizing developments and guides us towards the path of Redemption!

What is life? It is nothing but a series of events that transpired from our own doing. Good Decisions, Bad Decisions; both shape the reality that encircles us. A continual cycle of Consequences and Repercussions that follow one after the other. All because of the mistakes we made or the wrong roads we took, which eventually dragged us to our miserable fate.

What if you could turn the clock back? Go to that exact minute where it all took a turn for the worse! Given the opportunity, wouldn't you take your step back? Would you not pull your loved ones closer and give them a tight, warm hug and make sure to never hurt them again? Would you not put all your efforts to rebuild the relationships you hold so close to your heart? I'm sure you would. Who wouldn't? Let us keep in mind that it is never too late.

I could go on & on and talk about its Mind-bending Cinematography, or its Melancholic Score, or the Staggering Performances (Especially of Dylan O'Brien & Maika Monroe's) in great detail; but I believe, I don't need to. The underneath lesson of life takes precedence over any other prospect herein.

A mind bending trip that requires the viewer to suspend belief.

[teiixeiral · 7/10 · 5 June 2021]

Flashback is so ambitious that the story becomes convoluted very quickly. I thought Tenet was a mess but this is easily way harder to follow. I do admire the attempt at doing something new, even if the director couldn't quite stick the landing.

All the actors give a great performance with Dylan O'Brien delivering a career best performance. When the directing and story collapse in on itself much like the concept of time and space that's used as a plot device here, we are still held together somewhat by the acting.

I love how the script flirts with very interesting concepts such as drug addiction, agency, accountability, reality vs maladaptive dreaming and love. The ending was surprisingly emotional and the bond between mother and son will tug at your heart strings.

All in all, don't expect a straightforward story, this is a different film. Instead go where the story takes you, suspend your belief and think about the themes the story explores and how they relate to your own life.

Fast Forward, Rewind, Pause & Start Again...

[Xstal · 5/10 · 5 June 2021]

... and that's just the basis for the bizarre events you'll encounter but also good advice for anyone brave enough to tackle the multiverse probabilities of every decision they've ever made and their associated repercussions, consequences, causes and effects - every single one of them, alongside everyone else and their pathways of possibilities.

If you're reading this, then continue doing so below

[ham-ma242 · 10/10 · 5 July 2021]

Clearly the best movie of 2020 or even more years, I haven't seen anything this authentic in a long long time.

This movie is only for those who have the capacity to fathom and are educated about quantum entanglement~ and time as being non-linear, but a spiral and that present, future and the past can be experienced at the same "time".

This movie has great acting, atmosphere, soundtrack, a very accurate plot to explain time and how one can have experience like in the movie (though there are other ways than shown in the movie xd). Also it's gripping and very interesting I wonder why the frog doesn't the IMDB page has a "mystery" genre there?

The plot is clear and execution is great, very interesting ideas to present to and show to the masses which cannot fathom it. I mean you can see it in the ratings, but that could be because of you know who managing that rating... I hope a lot of people will see this and learn from it. That social constructs shouldn't define your like nor should you be afraid to experience life and be a player rather than an observer :).

Too many flashbacks with no story results in just broken pieces

[Xavier_Stone · 2/10 · 15 June 2021]

This movie is like a broken piece of china and having zero clue how to put it back together because you've never seen it when it was together.

Lets just say the movie's premise is a new and potent drug and the main actor starts tripping. We don't know if he's in the hospital in a coma or he's just a guy having flashbacks to different times in his past life. Then we are exposed to several different timelines and it's all supposed to fit together.

After reading other reviews and explanations I'm still not feeling it. Lots of artsy cut scenes, flashing lights and pointless editing to try and make this film more than it is. And that is clippings from the cutting room floor pieced together the most banal way possible and leave it open ended so that anything is possible and the director doesn't have to explain all the plot holes and unanswered questions.

I didn't realize how good it was until it was over

[kay_rock · 8/10 · 3 December 2021]

I was really only half paying attention to this film until it absolutely stopped making sense, at which point I rewound a little bit and watched until the end.

They do a pretty good job of revealing the intent and meaning of the film - spoon-feeding it, really, at about the 3/4 mark, and then the rest settles into place even though it remains disjointed and non-linear (which is, actually, the whole point).

It wasn't until the credits rolled that I wanted to do that slow golf clap.

And then I immediately restarted it and watched every moment, learning that there was important information in every scene and every line that made it much more logical, once you understand why those things are important.

I highly recommend watching it twice. Brilliant job. I hope to see more from MacBride.

Wow.

[chaakar · 10/10 · 5 June 2021]

This movie. I did not expect anything from it, went into it blind for O'Brien, and it unexpectedly ended up delivering a number of profound messages: may be just me, but this was possibly the most thought provoking film I've seen in a long long time, specifically with respect to our relationship with time/reality, our course(-correction) throughout life, and our provenantial connection with mothers as our first teachers and continual orientators (...all somehow mixed in with unique insight into drug addiction??).

As another reviewer said, this is not a movie where you are meant to unravel what is real and what is not, that isn't the point. Could be wrong and it may not resonate with some people/will go over their heads, but I think it was brilliant! Beautifully/Masterfully presented and acted as well.

A huge huge thanks to whoever wrote this script, and God Bless All Mothers -who even are we in life without them! _/\_

Interesting concept results in confusion

[Floated2 · 4/10 · 11 August 2021]

Seeing several comparisons of this film to classics as Donnie Darko and The Butterfly Effect, though in fairness. Flashback is not on those films' levels. Dealing with an interesting concept and a good leading actor with Dylan O'Brien, the problem lies more with the writing and overall script.

Too many flashback scenes, quick cuts, different timelines, fast forwarding and backtracking to keep up. The result is that it was a little too gimmicky and ending up being confusing. Perhaps if this movie was given more explanations and possibly added more runtime it would have been better.

There does lie an interesting concept but the end product is something which doesn't reach its full potential. Was expecting some sort of big reveal or twists in the end but nothing special occurred. Some intriguing moments but nothing special and not quite like Donnie Darko or the Butterflies Effect.

I get it, and at the same time I don't......

[bangel3322 · 2/10 · 4 June 2021]

I appreciate movies that are different and unique and think outside the box...however it has to be done properly. And while I feel like I got the gist of the movie, it was still very confusing and a little messy. It's almost like The Butterfly Effect, but that's a much better, straightforward film. I think Dylan O'Brien is a great actor but I didn't love this. A little too disjointed for me..

Well acted but not a great movie

[smree · 5/10 · 6 June 2021]

Based on the acting I would have given a higher rating, you can't fault the cast. Dylan O'Brien does a great job.

The direction, storytelling was just convoluted and messy. It was trying to be smart and artistic but just didn't pull it off. A similar story that has been done better in other movies.

Great start, edge of your seat middle, disastrous finale

[imdb2-5 · 5/10 · 5 June 2021]

Mom is in the hospital, potentially brain dead. Our hero and his lovely young wife visit mom... but our hero is haunted with a memory from his past that he can't shake, so he investigates. As he goes down the rabbit hole it seems there is something much deeper to find which has been suppressed all these years. And just as if think a new reveal is about to happen.... it's 50 more minutes of video filters, scaryish collages, triple image effects, flashing lights, adding up to a whole lot of utter nothingness that doesn't even stop its metamorphasing until even the very last minute of the film. And boy does that non-ending turn into a non-tearjerking stinker.

There was a really good film begging to be unearthed. The performances are very good for what amounts to a whole lot of nothing. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained. Imagine a 2 hour movie that reflects a minute for minute wandering daydream of a drug addict where the sum of all its parts can just be your mind on drugs. No wonder this went straight to video. A waste of good efforts by the actors.

Ambitious and mostly successful.

[doubleivan · 8/10 · 31 July 2021]

I'm surprised at how low some of the ratings are here for this movie. Yes, it is definitely challenging and it easily skirts categorisation, but it packs an intriguing idea, an emotional whallop, and brilliant execution. I recommend it to any fans of psychological sci-fi and, if you just go with it, you will be rewarded.

Confusing piece of crap

[edlc1970 · 1/10 · 5 June 2021]

Its the most confusing movie i have ever watched. It makes no sense. Even if you watch it 5 times, it wouldnt make sense. And when something is confusing and doesnt make sense, you start to get bored.

I will give this movie 9 stars for Dylan O'briens acting, and subtract 8 stars for the rest of the movie.

Movie that tells a story that speak to a curtain crowd

[dietertaljaard · 10/10 · 12 June 2021]

Great movie spoke to me profoundly. This will not be a movie that everyone will understand and would probably cause for people to dislike as they just don't get it, but for those that do, would find satisfaction in watching this.

Great acting, great concept and well presented.

Makes the viewer work for it

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 6 June 2021]

Films that make demands on the viewer are not often popular or even successful. Nonetheless this is a first rate production that earns your trust over time. It is hard if not impossible to quantify. Part rom-com, part sci fi, part horror and part mystery. It can also be viewed as an exposition on addiction or even an exposition on Quantum Theory. Dylan O'Brien has a Jimmy Stewart vibe and does a solid job of holding attention.

Channeling the SF Spirit of Kurt Vonnegut

[vanvance · 10/10 · 7 June 2021]

Flashback is a thematically fascinating, complex and multi-faceted work of science fiction. I found it to be gripping, artful and extremely well made.

This is not space opera; it is not cliched or filled with typical Hollywood tropes. If you're not interested in the science fiction of ideas don't watch this movie. If you want to think and experience a sense of wonder the best SF can provide Flashback is a perfect choice.

Possibly another cult classic

[dallas1684-28-847206 · 8/10 · 9 June 2021]

Don't pay attention to the bad reviews. If you like mindf@#$ movies like Donnie Darko, Butterfly Affect, Equilibrium, Trainspotting etc.. This definitely fits the bill! Your not supposed to completely understand it and that's what makes it great.

It reminded me a lot of great movies I've seen

[mr-altex · 8/10 · 9 June 2021]

Start of the movie is slow but through very interesting visuals and couple WTF moments it switches into psychological drama about discovering own self and returning back to reality. Of course, main role played by unknown drug.

If I can imagine having a bad trip, it would probably be like this movie. But since that's the point, it is superb.

And when it comes to reference to the older great movies, I find some elements of Butterfly effect, Trainspotting, Max Payne and little bit of I, Origins to deliver final feel-good touch.

I enjoyed it very much but it is definitely not an easy movie.

Stunning, Dark and Moody and I liked it!

[robnero · 8/10 · 4 June 2021]

A little bit Bliss(Selma Hayek), The Wave (Justin Long) by way of Jacob's Ladder. A young man's grief, guilt and loss drive this movie as he finds his way through it. We go with him through psychedelic experiences.

Nightmarish, it is filled with flash backward, forward, sideways, flicker, cross-cuts all done to visually show the mental, emotional, fracturing. It's what is happening in his mind and minds eye.

Dylan does a marvelous job delivering what must have been quite an emotionally heavy performance. With the actress from IT FOLLOWS, together they deliver a dark, gritty and moving story.

To move forward, sometimes you have to remember, accept, forgive and let go. Only then can freedom be gained.

No doubt, it will confuse the masses as the deeper intricate stories do. But for those that don't mind traveling down the rabbit hole to exit the other side, (Donnie Darko *Director's Cut*, The OA, The Butterfly Effect *Director's Cut*) you'll find it compelling.

Mind blowing so you really need to concentrate in every detail

[nadanona-91044 · 10/10 · 4 June 2021]

There are a lot of bad ratings and i don't get why but don't let that discourage you. The movie is really interesting and intense and i didn't feel slightly bored while watching. It delivers a certain message in the end but there are some stuff left for our imagination to figure out to reach that end and i really like that. This is one of the movies where you can't have every detail figured out but in the end you'll understand the final message. If you don't like this type of movies or if you simply lack imagination then probably you won't like it so much. It reminds me of something the director of "inception" said which is if you question how every detail of the movie led to that ending then you didn't get the point.

Y'all aren't ready!

[Polnaszek5 · 8/10 · 17 November 2020]

For those who aren't aware about the background surrounding this film it was hell to make and equally as so to just release the damn thing. MacBride coming off the coattails from his debut The Conspiracy, has pitched other projects in Hollywood that were unfortunately stagnated due to the cursed development hell for many years. His most notable one being Echo that was a script he wrote which was planned to have George Clooney direct at a point. Leads us to our offering today; which according to an account from Christopher on a recent podcast interview he fought tooth and nail to get made. And it wasn't until Dylan O'Brien and Maika Monroe got involved that the ball really got rolling for the project to actually leave the development phase into legitimate production. Which other myriad of problems and bad luck occurred when filming started. Good lord.

I only bring all this baggage up to legitimize the long known theory that a piece of aptitude does not always mirror its making. Never been more true with Fredrick Fitzell. A scrupulously well discerned and uncompromising work that is at every second idiosyncratic, poignant, visceral, and just plain bonkers but in the best ways thats apparent you're experiencing something truly special.

Dylan O'Brien gives easily the best performance of the year that I've seen, at that one scene the guy isn't even acting; it's just him. I knew this kid had the chops and as Fredrick he more than proves his stripes for the string of other potential roles he could play.

Have no idea what kind of home this movie will receive but it best be a just one. Makes me ecstatic to see where MacBride will continue from here as a creative force, only praying it won't take a whole other decade before we receive whatever comes next out of his brain.

Screenplay is *chef's kiss*

Life ... and choices ... and flashbacks

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 30 June 2021]

It's interesting that you sometimes watch movies at Festivals and even before the Festival is over, one of those movies gets a new release title. Like this one right here ... playing under the title Flashback - which I'll admit sounded quite "popcorny" (any judgement you read into this, is from you and you alone) - but turned out it really isn't.

Of course with the new title it sounds already more "sophisticated" ... again no judgement passed. Every genre or type has its merits and it will be up to the viewers and the mindset they are in to figure out what they want to see. A well thought of movie, well edited and really good cinematography and sound design. The main actor reminded me a bit of Adam Brody, but I know he isn't - and I also know he is a good actor in his own right. Maybe that was a bit tmi for some, but had to put it out there.

Where do we go and what do our decisions make of us? Something that we mostly never can fully comprehend ... it's not like we can go back and change something and go down a different rabbit hole .. I mean path ... we can watch movies and see other stories evolve ... or do they? Because as was said at the Festival, for different people this means different things too ...

A Great Indie Movie with Fantastic Performances

[yuwu-25643 · 9/10 · 17 October 2020]

Watched it at Sitges Film Festival's online screening. In general this is a good movie, with good script and great performances. The performances of actors is undoubtedly the best part of the movie. The story is appealing. But the first part of the movie is slow and could be irritating if you are not patient enough.

Dylan provides a wonderful performance in this movie and shows his potential to master complicated roles. I hope he can be in more indie movies or so called Oscar-baiting movies.

what are y'all on..

[apocalypticluvs · 9/10 · 7 June 2021]

Now, when i say this, i mean it. This is THE MOST misleading review section i've ever seen and i've seen a lot. I was sceptical, because of people's reviews on this app, and let me tell you, they are so so so wrong. The movie is not confusing if you are open-minded, if you believe that there is more to life than we know of. You NEED to open your mind, DO NOT listen to the reviews and just go see it for yourself. In my opinion, it was a great movie with an original idea, which was perceived very well. I liked the directing, the editing and, of course, the amazing cast. All of them did a great job. Go check it out for yourself and ignore the reviews. Sit back and enjoy it.

What did I just watch?

[a_kurazov · 13 July 2021]

It's definitely a movie that will make u think, but there's so many things that you just get lost (while thinking) and try to figure out what's going on. There are some good elements in this movie: dark atmosphere, the story, Merc.

But somehow all of that makes your mind blow up. You don't understand what's reality and what's illusion. Yeah of course, movies that are unclear makes u think about it and u want to discuss it, in a good way, but after watching this, you be like "what was that"?

But still, it gets more and more interesting when you get to the middle. As some crazy thing are begin to happen. But again, when it gets closer to the end, that's where everything goes crazy, like I don't know what.

Im definitely not hating this movie but it could've been so much better. I would recommend it to people, but only to those who really watch and think while watching the movies.