Disappointing wilts as dark coming-of-age revenge tale
“Flower” - ★ ½
When we first meet Erica, the 17-year-old girl at the center of “Flower,” she's in the process of blackmailing a police officer — and he isn't the first to fall for her extortion.
“Flower” wastes no time — although it wastes plenty of energy — letting us know that its protagonist (and, by extension, the movie) revels in edginess.
We've seen high-schoolers behaving badly before, sometimes to brilliant and entertaining effect. (Think “Mean Girls” and the recent “Thoroughbreds.”) But “Flower” can't quite nail the necessary tone, aiming for dark, but missing the comedy.
The plot gets going when Luke, the 18-year-old son of Erica's future stepfather, moves in with her family, fresh out of rehab. “I thought junkies were supposed to be skinny,” Erica (Zoey Deutch) tells her mother (Kathryn Hahn) when she first sees her portly new housemate. Erica warms to Luke (Joey Morgan) when she learns that he once accused a male teacher of fondling him, and is still reeling after running into the man (Adam Scott).
In short order, Erica hatches a plan, along with Luke and her two extortionist friends (Dylan Gelula and Maya Eshet), to exact revenge. “Shaking down a child molester is our moral obligation,” she says.
It's a mission that's destined to go too far.
What sells the movie are the performances, especially Deutch's. The 23-year-old daughter of actress Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch, the performer has an unforced charisma and is a delight to watch — even when the script isn't doing her any favors.
• • •
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Kathryn Hahn, Dylan Gelula, Maya Eshet, Joey Morgan, Adam Scott
Directed by: Max Winkler
Other: An Orchard Films release. Rated R for sexual situations, language, violence, nudity and drug content. 90 minutes