The lovely, heartbreaking Fly Away benefits from superb performances and a gripping story managed with simplicity and grace by writer-producer-director Janet Grillo.
Taking a coolheaded approach to hot-button issues, Fly Away overcomes its neatly bow-tied ending with strong performances (including Greg Germann as a sensitive neighbor) and a spare, intelligent script.
Fly Away is more situation than story, though, and the Germann character's welcoming, almost saintly vibe doesn't fit.
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L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
Fly Away could have been stronger if its antiseptic visual style, which anchors it in old-fashioned TV movie mode, had been more adventurous in shouldering some of the weight of depicting the emotional and psychic anguish of the story.
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New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Rickards tries hard in a difficult role and Greg Germann offers nice support as an empathetic neighbor. But like her character, it's Broderick who keeps things from falling apart.