Tackling the delicate genre of personal essay film, "Flipside" invites viewers into a seemingly ordinary existence, but proves its worth in portraying universal themes and narratives. The film, directed by Chris Wilcha, raises existential questions surrounding a seemingly successful artist in the contemporary world - a healthy, professional filmmaker with a flourishing family life.
"Flipside" takes an indirect approach to engage viewers, starting with a tribute to Herman Leonard, a renowned music photographer, whose musing about life’s journey sets the philosophical undertone of this film. The essence of what seems like a simple life is contrasted with Leonard's confession of nearing death, putting into perspective the life of Wilcha, who also has uncompleted projects in his repertoire.
The film goes on to unravel Wilcha's personal journey from his early years embracing the grunge ethos of Gen X to taking a corporate job, challenging the system from within and establishing a successful documentary career. It captures his conflicting drive between his artistic pursuit and the necessity of making a living, most of which he spent creating commercials, representing the very thing he once disdained.
In search of deeper meaning, "Flipside" brings Wilcha back to his teenage job at a record store, marking another uncompleted film project. Despite the unfinished projects, the film presents an unexpected story arc with multiple influential figures chipping into Wilcha's life, including Judd Apatow, David Milch, and Floyd Vivino, all contributing to the discussion of finding purposeful work in a meaning-suppressing world.
Even though "Flipside" leaves its ultimate meaning up to the viewer's interpretation, it provides an engaging, insightful, and emotionally charged window into the world of its creator, making it worth every viewer's while.
