Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Amari-Sali OverviewWhile 5 Flights Up touches on a handful of social issues, like gentrification, racial profiling, ageism, and racism to a certain degree, it pretty much is a light film dealing with an older couple trying to decide what's next in their lives?Characters & StoryFor over 40 years Ruth (Diane Keaton/ Claire van der Boom) and Alex Carver (Morgan Freeman/ Korey Jackson) have lived in Brooklyn and have been married. This is through her parents not fully accepting their daughter married a black man; Alex having confidence issues when it comes to their art; as well as a slew of other issues. But being that the neighborhood is changing, Alex not being as young as he used to be, and their apartment being worth 100s of thousands of dollars, there is the temptation to move on. Thus leading Mr. and Mrs. Carver to ask Ruth's niece, Lily (Cynthia Nixon), to help them perhaps sell their home.PraiseThere are so many reasons to like this film. The first being that the relationship between Ruth and Alex, whether it is Freeman and Keaton, or van der Boom and Jackson, is undeniably cute. For whether we are watching Jackson court van der Boom, and see her challenge her mother and sister when it comes to being happy for her, or else watching them, 40 years later, still fiercely in love, and highly protective of one another, it truly makes you "awe" to the point of envy.Then, on top of that, you have to appreciate the world presented in 5 Flights Up. One in which we see how Brooklyn is changing, and how many people are leaving in the process; how racial profiling of those of Islamic faith is being handled; and the different dynamics which come with the various perceptions people have due to age, race, and a handful of other things.Last thing worth mentioning is, the film doesn't necessarily end with what you may predict. For while the ending isn't certainly out of left field, or dramatic, it does seem to imply that we are more so being given a slice of life rather than something overdone and handed the occasional dramatic moment done solely to keep the audience interested.CriticismDespite what usually would be a setup to call the film boring, this film isn't that. However, I will say that this isn't the type of film where neither Freeman nor Keaton are trying to really put on the type of performance which would lead to accolades or a new go to in their filmographies. If anything, they seem to be doing this film for the joy of being working actors, and perhaps working with someone new.Outside of that, I must admit I wanted to see more of Zoe (Sterling Jerins), a girl Alex interacts with multiple times, for her relationship with Alex seemed quite cute. Also, considering Ruth and Alex don't have kids, and Zoe's situation, it would have been nice for her to be more than just someone Alex coincidentally saw twice in his life. But that critique is just a personal one.Overall: TV ViewingConsider this within the upper echelon of the TV Viewing label. For really, the only thing which kept this from being worth seeing is that, as much as I recognize the dog's importance, that subplot didn't do much for the film in my opinion. Then, when it comes to Ruth and Alex selling the apartment, and buying a new one, while seeing them as a couple was cute, them dealing with Lily, and trying to find a place, was perhaps the low point of the film. Low enough to keep this from being worth seeing.

phd_travel This film is a real find. Subject matter that is not shown in movies often get a witty insightful and hilarious depiction by some great actors. Anyone who has been through the process of buying or selling real estate in this country will find this movie really hits the nail on the head. The absurdity of the bidding process is so accurately shown. Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton are an elderly interracial couple. They have to move from their 5th floor walk up in Brooklyn because of the stairs. Niece and realtor perfectly played by Cynthia Nixon. She is just priceless especially at the end. The open houses are well done with the various emotions and motivations on both sides of the buyers and sellers. But there is more than just real estate here. One doesn't often see an elderly interracial couple on film. So insightful when it shows a not so commercially successful artist's real estate is worth more than his paintings. The dog segments are quite funny.A must watch.

loueymc For me, this movie was not boring at all. Throughout the entire flick there is tons of quirky bits of humor that pretty much had me laughing almost to tears, especially from Morgan Freeman's character. It's not a flashy movie, it's just a very heartwarming story with lots of added humor. It also is not one that I could watch over and over again, but that being said, I will be keeping it for future watches. I would not say it's Morgan Freeman or Diane Keaton's best movie, as they have been in so many brilliant roles, but I will say this...you see more a more humorous side of Morgan Freeman in this than most of his other ones, which is genuinely nice to see!I was pleasantly surprised by this, especially given that it has some quite negative reviews, I actually bypassed it a few times due to that...my mistake!

amppec What goes around comes around... This film makes some compelling points - there's nothing like history to create incredible intimacy and not much is more intimate than the home one makes... Time matters - and wisdom is understanding what it's meant and what it means... A great view should never be underestimated! All the other things that change around us does not have to "change us"...Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton, the duo surprised me... Another two or three 'affectionate' exchanges between them would have made me happier - but it worked! Their chemistry made the profoundness of sharing a long and satisfying life together very believable...Diane Keaton scaled down her usual shtick and Claire van der Boom was spot-on as a young Diane... Morgan Freeman's 'warmth' and 'memories' were touching... The movie is a simple film full of gentle reminders of how special time, love, and home are... That said, I would bet that the niece-realtor (Cynthia Nixon) sent them a nice bill!