Flakes (2007)

21% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(2,169 ratings)

Zooey Deschanel, Aaron Stanford, Izabella Miko, and Christopher Lloyd star in director Michael Lehmann's comedy concerning a New Orleans cereal bar manager whose slacker lifestyle is turned upside down when a rival cereal shop threatens both his livelihood and his love life. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Michael Lehmann
Written By: Chris Poché, Karey Kirkpatrick
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 19, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jul 8, 2008
Studio: IFC First Take

Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
There are a few sweet moments as the story reaches its unsurprising conclusion. But, all in all, Flakes isn't going to bowl you over.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Unless you happen to be one yourself, chances are pretty good that you'll take an immediate dislike to the self-satisfied hipsters who populate this disappointing comedy from Heathers director Michael Lehmann.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Minor to the point of barely existing.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A business course on cutthroat capitalism disguised as a slacker comedy: That's the kindest way to describe Michael Lehmann's Flakes.
Julia Wallace, Village Voice
Despite a few good one-liners, the dialogue is overwritten.
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Quirky, mature hipster comedy is a bit too soggy.
Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
Hey Flakes, 1994 called: they want their unshaved, American Spirit-smoking statement on individual artistic potential struggling to survive in a corporate world back
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The amazing Deschanel once again proves her astonishing ability to exist comfortably within a scene, as well as slightly above it.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
A critique of capitalism that's light as a corn flake.
Geoff Berkshire, Metromix.com
There's enough breezy charm on display to make it worth a look on cable, DVD or at a bargain matinee.
Noel Murray, AV Club
The characters Lehmann and company use as generational mouthpieces bear no relation to any people who have ever existed, and they barely work as parody. It's cool to see the old retro cereals on the restaurant shelf, though.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While the ghost of a bittersweet 'everyone's a sell-out' moral seems to haunt screenwriters Chris Poche and Karey Kirkpatrick's scruffy little romantic fable, it's buried under layers of forced quirkiness.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
The surprise is how consistently entertaining Flakes is despite the dearth of star power, production value or innovative style.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
A disappointingly superficial enterprise, given its undeservedly smug, countercultural airs.
Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net
This too-cool-for-school Singles wannabe could have been great, but it never really goes anywhere due to its poor execution
Paul Schrodt, Slant Magazine
One look at Aaron Stanford's chain-smoking, long-haired musician in a Hanes t-shirt and you know Flakes wants so badly to be hip.
Drew Toal, Time Out New York
Some cute moments pepper the inane plot, but Flakes doesn't have much snap, crackle or pop.
Scott Weinberg, Cinematical
I hate to be so down on a comedy that comes from so many filmmakers and actors I admire, but this flick's about as satisfying as a bowl of soggy Corn Flakes.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Cereal and pop culture are fun, but this movie, not as much. It was still a nice little quirky indie film, but a little too uneventful, and predictable. Extra 1/2 star for Zooey. She made it worth watching.
Leigh R

Totally adorable, but that's because of Deschanel. She just oozes adorableness... Very quirky and funny.
Lewis C

Flakes is more dry and boring than any bowl of cereal could ever be. I've enjoyed many a hipster indie movie, but all the quirky characters in the world can't save a movie that's dull and devoid of any entertainment value, whatsoever. I think the movie was attempting… More
Flakes is more dry and boring than any bowl of cereal could ever be. I've enjoyed many a hipster indie movie, but all the quirky characters in the world can't save a movie that's dull and devoid of any entertainment value, whatsoever. I think the movie was attempting an Empire Records-type vibe, where you're introduced to a few off-beat characters, and then grow to care about their lives over the course of the movie. That certainly didn't happen. Every character was annoyingly "different", and the viewer is never given any reasons to grow attached to them. They never become anything more than arbitrarily alternative caricatures. I normally love Zooey Deschanel (she's the reason I watched the movie), but she's just as un-appealing in this as everyone else. This may sound harsh, but Flakes was a complete failure. Don't waste your time with it.
t h o m !

I always seem to gravitate to films like these... rarely do I ever feel fulfilled. The premise of the film seemed great; same old story arc told from a different perspective and Zooey. Mmmmm Zooey. The crew and sets of the film work for the most part... Aaron Stanford was a weinie… More
I always seem to gravitate to films like these... rarely do I ever feel fulfilled. The premise of the film seemed great; same old story arc told from a different perspective and Zooey. Mmmmm Zooey. The crew and sets of the film work for the most part... Aaron Stanford was a weinie though. I did not like his dynamics and struggled to put up with him. He really was a douche and not in the sense of his character and that's what they were going for; but really someone I wish was recasted. Chris Lloyd was great to see and the setting of Flakes stood for a tasty premise. Really this was an okay movie(good to watch during breakfast?) and is probably Michael Lehmann's best movie which... isn't saying much. I did hardcore crave some cereal though, so great execution on that part, Mike!
Sunil J

It's majorly predictable but pretty alright. I can't really recommend it though. Christopher Lloyd is totally wasted in this.