Flag Day (2021 Film)
All parents make mistakes, some though behave badly and leave their children hurt. What’s worse is when you see and receive it from both of your parents. Maybe the hurt comes in different ways or forms but it still hurts. Jennifer Vogel’s life was just that and we see how a child, teen, and then woman struggles with her identity and life. Flag Day is based on Vogel’s Memoir “flim-flam man the true story of my father’s counterfeit life.” Not all of us can connect with the latter part, many of us though can when it comes to the hurts from parents.
Synopsis: Jennifer Vogel’s father, John, is larger than life. As a child, she marvels at his magnetizing energy and ability to make everything feel like a grand adventure. John teaches her so much about love and joy, but he also happens to be the most notorious counterfeiter in U.S. history. Jennifer now struggles to rise above the wreckage of the past while reconciling the inescapable bond between a daughter and her father.
Flag Day is not the typical film I would see at the theaters. I’m going to warn you do not see this movie if you need uplifting! You will leave examining your relationships with your parents and for some of us it may leave you a little depressed. The film is directed by Sean Penn and well done to boot. Shot in 16MM film with great camera movements showing us the contrast of happy and sad moments in the life of a very dysfunctional family. Moving on in time he shows us the after-effects on the children. Vogel’s story is an interesting one to know. In fact, I plan to get the book and read more. It is a little slow here there, and I read some who thought the story focus more on the father John than the daughter Jennifer. For me the balance was perfect and I didn’t find that to be true. Upon further research there really was so much more Penn could have add on both parts to the movie.
Not only does Sean Penn direct and star in Flag Day, but he also acts alongside his daughter Dylan who gives an amazing performance. Towards the end, Penn’s son Hopper Jack Penn has a small role as Jennifer’s younger brother Nick. It’s a family affair with excellent acting from both Sean Penn and his daughter, Dylan Penn. Heartbreaking, tragic, and wonderful acting that is not just believable, but a father/daughter performance that I “felt” in my heart and soul. Miss Penn does an amazing job portraying the daughter of a con artist, her tough upbringing, and how she eventually makes something of herself. Neither Penn in his direction nor Penn in her portrayal lose sight of the hurt girl inside. From Jennifer rolling a joint in front of her mother to the scene in which her mother’s creepy-ass boyfriend sexually assaults her we see the hurt and struggle within.
When it comes to nostalgia Penn never lets us down when directing a movie. If you’ve read my previous reviews you’ll know for me music is not only an important part of the film but it also has to be done right. Penn does this with his use of Bob Seger’s “Night Moves.” He couldn’t have picked a better song for the movie in the scene where we see John and Jennifer, on the side of the road, her father drawing a sketch of Happy Highway Harry a tall waving commercial statue. Penn not only adds Seger”s music to the film but Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, and Cat Power and it all works so well I already downloaded a few of the tracks.
While “Flag Day” can be melodramatic, the performances of Sean and Dylan are awesome and the film packs a strong emotional punch. If you ever had a rocky relationship with a parent or still do, you will leave thinking long after the movie is over. It’s as clear as day what the film means to be—a bittersweet portrayal of a daughter’s love for her father who would never change. I give it a B, only because it was a little slow and I feel Mr. Penn you could have added more of Jennifer and John Vogel’s story. I’d recommend it for the acting and the story. Just remember not all stories have happy endings.
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Mamma, Mimi, Michele, call out any one of those names and I will answer. There are several hats on my shelf. My passions are photography, being outside, movies, tv, pop culture and anything haunted or spooky. People are my other interest, I love meeting new people and socializing. When I lived in Savannah GA I worked as a tour guide both haunted and historical tours. I met people from all over the world, that was the best part of the job. All of this I can write about too, that’s the beauty of being a writer.
