5 Flights Up

Name: 5 Flights Up
Genre: Drama
Released: May 8, 2015
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Cynthia Nixon, Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman

2015

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Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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5 Flights Up

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus World | Release Date: May 8, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Cynthia Nixon, Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman

Summary: Forty years ago, artist Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman) bought a run-down apartment in a sketchy part of Brooklyn with his wife, schoolteacher Ruth (Diane Keaton). Today, their neighborhood is now very hip and their apartment worth a small fortune. The now-retired Ruth and Alex haven’t changed – they are still as much in love as ever. But theyForty years ago, artist Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman) bought a run-down apartment in a sketchy part of Brooklyn with his wife, schoolteacher Ruth (Diane Keaton). Today, their neighborhood is now very hip and their apartment worth a small fortune. The now-retired Ruth and Alex haven’t changed – they are still as much in love as ever. But they have let Ruth’s niece Lily (Cynthia Nixon), a real estate agent, list their property to see what the market might bear. On the eve of their open house, the Brooklyn Bridge is rumored to be under a terrorist attack, sending the media into a frenzy and people’s attitudes about living in New York. Closer to home, Dorothy, the Carver’s beloved dog, is suddenly having trouble walking. While Dorothy is having expensive treatment at the vet, Ruth convinces Alex to go apartment hunting in Manhattan, where they miraculously come across an ideal place they might actually be able to afford. As the world around them seems to mirror their own chaos and confusion, Ruth and Alex realize the same bond of love that has kept them together all these years will allow them to see their way through this crazy weekend as well. [Focus Features]… Expand

Director: Richard Loncraine

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein

May 7, 2015

What a pleasure to see a simple, finely tuned dramedy about real adults with real emotions in a real-life situation. Read full review

Rex Reed

May 6, 2015

Better films about senior citizens displaced by a greedy housing market have been made. (Anyone for Vittorio De Sica’s Umberto D, or Ira Sachs’ recent heartbreaker Love is Strange, about a homeless elderly gay couple?) But the humorous script by Charlie Peters (based on a novel by Jill Ciment), fluidly directed by Richard Loncraine, makes this an agreeable experience. Read full review

Mike D'Angelo

May 6, 2015

If 5 Flights Up is worth seeing, it’s primarily for the pleasure of Keaton and Freeman’s company, plus maybe for some tips on buying and selling an apartment. Read full review

Andrew Lapin

May 6, 2015

Director Richard Loncraine (Wimbledon) and screenwriter Charlie Peters are able to carry this material to some unexpected places. It helps to have two of the most effortlessly charming actors in Hollywood as leads. Read full review

Peter Keough

May 7, 2015

The duo provide a bit of wit and warmth amid the contrived subplots and the self-satisfied moralism. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

May 5, 2015

Nixon scores the film’s one laugh-out-loud moment. Nobody else generates anything more than a weak chuckle. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

May 7, 2015

You hate to see a good cast wasted, but when it comes to 5 Flights Up, the verdict is: no sale. Read full review

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User Reviews

preciouskiki

Jul 4, 2015

I had never even heard of "5 Flights Up" (which is unusual for me because I read a lot of movie reviews), so when I saw that a movie starring Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman was playing at a local second-run theatre, I was surprised. Well, just got home from seeing it, and we both loved it.I had never even heard of "5 Flights Up" (which is unusual for me because I read a lot of movie reviews), so when I saw that a movie starring Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman was playing at a local second-run theatre, I was surprised. Well, just got home from seeing it, and we both loved it. It held my interest every minute. Keaton and Freeman are both so great to watch, and I don't understand why "5 Flights Up" hasn't gotten more attention. I enjoyed every minute of it. If you like well-written, well-acted movies about long-term relationships, New York City, and dogs, you will like this movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

GreatMartin

May 12, 2015

After 40 years of marriage, and living in the same Brooklyn walk up apartment, it is obvious that Alex (Morgan Freeman) and Ruth (Diane Keaton) are still in love and very comfortable with each other. They were married at a time interracial couples were still not accepted in 30 States andAfter 40 years of marriage, and living in the same Brooklyn walk up apartment, it is obvious that Alex (Morgan Freeman) and Ruth (Diane Keaton) are still in love and very comfortable with each other. They were married at a time interracial couples were still not accepted in 30 States and ‘got looks from people in the other 20’. As it is her parents didn’t accept them. Alex is a painter and Ruth was a teacher whose students became her children when she found out she couldn’t have children.

In “5 Flights Up” we meet them at a time Alex is getting too old to walk up the 5 flight of steps to their apartment and their 10 year old dog is having spinal problems so they have put their apartment on the market and her niece Lily (Cynthia Nixon), who is a realtor, is handling the sale telling them that they should be able to get a million dollars and they can downsize to a smaller, less expensive place with an elevator.

Though there is a secondary, needless, plot regarding a ‘terrorist’ this is a sweet movie with no special effects or wild car chases or explosives going off. Due to Freeman and Keaton charms and acting abilities you accept them as the long standing in love couple who know each others faults, quirks and endearments. He knows all the right answers to give her such as asking “What old Lady?” when she points to a recent portrait he had done of her and she remarks that she doesn’t know why he still is painting that old lady. She knows how to manipulate him even when he is aware what she is doing.

Aside from their love story anyone who has ever sold an apartment or house will recognize the many different types who will show up such as those who just come to see how other people live or the woman who has to lay down on the bed to get the ‘feel’ of the place. Lily gives them nicknames such as ‘the dog ladies’ or ‘blue leggings’. It is an ongoing gag through the movie.

Instead of the terrorist story the screenwriter, Charlie Peters, and the director, Richard Loncraine, could have spent more time on the background stories of Freeman and Keaton. In the few flashbacks Claire van der Bloom and Korey Jackson look enough like the present day Alex and Ruth to add believability to the unfolding of the love story if more had been on the screen.

“5 Flights Up” is a sweet, believable, love story and shows changes that can, do, take place as people age. The photography by Jonathan Freeman shows Manhattan and Brooklyn as clean, sparkling boroughs and the music by David Newman adds, instead of distracts, to the film’s romance.

While the film won’t win any awards it certainly should be seen to remember when Hollywood knew how to make love stories with happy ever after endings!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

May 11, 2015

Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton play a couple who are ready to sell their 5th floor walkup. When they moved into the Brooklyn neighborhood 40 years ago, it was sketchy, but now it's hot. We visit their open house (and the snotty NYC stereotypes that show up), enjoy flashbacks to earlierMorgan Freeman and Diane Keaton play a couple who are ready to sell their 5th floor walkup. When they moved into the Brooklyn neighborhood 40 years ago, it was sketchy, but now it's hot. We visit their open house (and the snotty NYC stereotypes that show up), enjoy flashbacks to earlier years, worry about their sick dog and go on their search for a new place. The duo has lots of dialogue, mostly revolving around their relationship. The film is sweet and they give agreeable performances, but they never felt really connected to each other. Still, it presents some interesting observations about aging and New York real estate.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smiyamot

Feb 25, 2016

A couple growing old and living on the 5th floor, wow, I couldn't do that everyday. During the course of the day we see their early years in flashback, and Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman are top flight actors, but the story line sucks big time. Seems like a stereotype seniorsA couple growing old and living on the 5th floor, wow, I couldn't do that everyday. During the course of the day we see their early years in flashback, and Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman are top flight actors, but the story line sucks big time. Seems like a stereotype seniors -don't-know-what-they're-doing movie. I'm sure they could have found a better story line to move this character study along. Maybe this was a stage play so it all had to take place in a confined space?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

beingryanjude

Jul 11, 2015

5 Flights Up makes its moves as a movie concerned with real people with real problems and love. Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman compliment each other nicely as an older couple in the fast paced real estate market of today. Still, the film's concept is cheapened by unnecessary and too5 Flights Up makes its moves as a movie concerned with real people with real problems and love. Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman compliment each other nicely as an older couple in the fast paced real estate market of today. Still, the film's concept is cheapened by unnecessary and too frequent commentary on terrorism in New York City.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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