This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

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.

Or still here. If you have two great actors like that in a movie, you can not go wrong. Watching them play off each other is a blast. Morgan Freeman might have aged (like we all do), but he's has a presence that can be felt. Drama might not be everyones cup of tea, but if it is, you should watch a couple trying to cope with the fact they are getting older and how to spend their time.Also where to spend their time and if the lifestyle they are used to is still something they should be going after. It's easier to move into something smaller, although on the other hand it's always tough to leave something familiar behind. So while the stakes seem not really high (and they aren't, this is a light affair), the movie can be convincing, if only for the acting talent at hand

The movie had potential...but I ended up falling asleep 20 minutes in. There was not much of a storyline, they had some cute, sad, funny parts- but not enough to keep me entertained. I was hoping with Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman there would be a great movie, their acting is great, and they played their part. But the sad thing is that there was not a lot to work with. The book hopefully was better, as I did not even see an ad for this movie- which means it did not generate enough reviews or popularity. In whole- a couple after 40 years looks to selling their apartment- right then and there that is the entire basis of this movie- no great dialogue or parts that make you want to watch. I never fall asleep watching a movie- and I dozed off. When I woke up- I rewinded to where I last was and realized I did not miss one single thing. I'd skip this movie unless you really like long...dull...movies.

The joy of this film is simply watching 2 consummate actors -- Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton -- ply their craft. Oddly enough, I didn't like either of these actors when they were young. But in autumn, they are choice.The premise of the film is that an aging mixed race couple are thinking of moving out of New York City...mostly because their apartment is now worth $1 million, but partly because their current residence is 5 flights up...not good when you're getting old. Meanwhile, their small dog has to have expensive surgery.Korey Jackson is amazingly on-target as the young Morgan Freeman; I hope we see more of him. Claire van der Boom does well as the young Diane Keaton.It's really quite a touching film, and I enjoyed it...except for the ending. Morgan Freeman's character is clearly getting old, and they turn down selling their 4 floor walk-up...despite the fact that old people can't walk that many levels of stairs...trust me, I know. Nevertheless, I recommend this film for mature audiences. What impressed me was what was not emphasized...something that you just need to get on your own -- that many of the guess who's coming to dinner couples undoubtedly lived happy lives despite all the haters.