Dora Matijević hits the right note for John Carney’s Flora and Son.
“It all started with the image of a woman pulling a guitar out of a dumpster,” said writer, director, and composer John Carney. Known for his indie films that explore the power of music in the context of everyday struggles, Carney teams up with his longtime collaborator Gary Clark to compose the music for Flora and Son.
Flora (Eve Hewson) is a single mother, and her son Max (Orén Kinlan) has a relationship clouded by yelling, foul language, and dark humour. Since Max is one offense away from ending up behind bars, Flora is desperate to find him a distraction. Max is an awkward teenager with no friends and an obsession with a girl who doesn’t notice him. In spite of his parents’ constant bickering, there are moments when Max, somewhat reluctantly, tries to reach out to them. Initially, even Flora wonders if she’s too uncaring—sometimes wishing he would disappear.
Unfortunately, Flora’s ex—Max’s dad—is stuck in the past, reliving the days when he almost made it as a bass player. So, it’s up to Flora. After finding a guitar in a dumpster, she brings it home for Max but ends up taking online lessons herself. She starts off by shamelessly flirting with her teacher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), but he gradually overwhelms her with soulful folk music and his sincerity. Even though their sessions never leave the laptop screen, as they share life stories and create music together, they start developing romantic feelings. As the music and newfound connection soften Flora’s sharp edges, Max embraces the chance to collaborate and bond with her.
The idea for the film—and the Zoom sessions—was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming took place a few years later on the streets of Dublin, and residents will likely recognise locations on the north side, Griffith Park, St Stephen’s Green, and the Smithfield area. The original songs are well integrated into the story, blending hip-hop with the emotional depth of folk to create a fresh, dynamic beat. The film ends with an overhead shot of foggy Capel Street at Christmas time—serving as the perfect backdrop for the fade-out of the last song of the night, High Life.
Though she already knew how to play the guitar, Hewson had to overcome her fear of singing for the role—determined to carve her own path, independent of her father, Bono. Not only did she succeed, but she also brings spark and warmth to the screen with her assertiveness, quick wit, and expressive blue eyes. For Kinlan, who was 15 at the time, this marks his first film appearance, and he delivers a strong performance. His chemistry with Hewson creates a broken but fiercely loyal family dynamic. They share a moment of catharsis as they perform Dublin 07, moving past their individual struggles through artistic expression—which brings us to the director’s ultimate intention behind this film. As always, Carney highlights our hidden potential in such a genuine and heartwarming way.
Flora and Son is available to stream online now.
