5 Flights Up

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton face aging and apartment hunting in this gentle, slow drama that's more 'Sunday afternoon nap' than must-watch.

47%

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5 Flights Up

movie

PG-13, 2014

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton face aging and apartment hunting in this gentle, slow drama that's more 'Sunday afternoon nap' than must-watch.

47%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, Freeman and Keaton are lovely together, and if you're in the mood for a gentle, low-stakes drama about aging and apartment hunting, this could work as background viewing while you fold laundry. But let's be real: those review scores (47% critics, 43% audience) aren't lying.

The film is slow, uneven, and ultimately forgettable. It's not bad enough to hate, but not good enough to recommend with any enthusiasm. For teens, this could spark some worthwhile conversations about aging and what makes a home meaningful—if you can get them to sit through it. For younger kids, it's a hard pass.

The WISE components are decent—it's wholesome, safe, and has some enriching themes—but the watchability factor is low. There are better intergenerational films that tackle similar themes with more energy and heart. This one's a 'maybe if you've already watched everything else on Netflix and you're really in the mood for Morgan Freeman.'

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 14+, and that tracks. This is really for mature teens who can appreciate slow, character-driven stories and adults looking for low-key Sunday viewing. Younger kids will bail within 15 minutes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A warm, gentle story about a long-married couple (Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton) navigating aging, change, and leaving their beloved Brooklyn apartment after 40 years. The tone is emotionally mature and kind, with humor that comes from real situations rather than cruelty. The romance is subtle and the film models a healthy, enduring relationship. However, it deals with mature themes like retirement, health concerns, and mortality that require emotional sophistication to appreciate.

Imaginative

This is a character-driven drama grounded firmly in everyday reality—apartment hunting, family visits, nostalgic reflections. There's no fantasy, no visual creativity, no invitation to build or explore anything. It's a straightforward, realistic story about aging and urban life. The 'imagination' here is limited to empathizing with characters facing life transitions, which is valuable but not what this dimension typically measures.

Safe

PG-13 rated with very mild content concerns. Occasional mild language, adult conversations about health and aging, and some emotional moments that could be poignant for sensitive viewers. No violence, gore, nudity, or sex. No surprise disturbing content. The main 'risk' is that younger kids will find it boring rather than inappropriate. Critics note it can be 'cloyingly melodramatic' at times, but nothing unsafe for teens and up.

Enriching

Offers genuine intergenerational value—sparks discussion about aging, the meaning of home, long-term relationships, and handling life transitions with grace. A 13-year-old reviewer enjoyed it, suggesting it can resonate with teens ready for slower, thoughtful material. However, critics found it uneven with subplots that don't land, and the pacing is slow. It's enriching if you're ready for it, but won't captivate viewers looking for action or plot-driven entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Freeman and Keaton have genuine chemistry as a couple who've been together 40 years—their warmth is the film's best asset
Tackles aging, mortality, and life transitions with humor and heart rather than doom and gloom
Could spark meaningful family conversations about what makes a home, growing older, and long-term relationships
Completely safe content-wise for teens—no violence, sex, or shocking moments

⚠

What to Watch For

Kids under 13 will likely find this excruciatingly boring—it's a slow, dialogue-heavy character study about real estate and retirement
Some emotional moments about health concerns and leaving a beloved home could be poignant or heavy for sensitive viewers
Critics found it uneven and 'cloyingly melodramatic' at times—this isn't a hidden gem, just a serviceable drama
The 47% critic score and 43% audience score tell the real story: most people found it forgettable

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes a place feel like home? Is it the actual building or the memories you make there?"
"Alex and Ruth have been together for 40 years. What do you think keeps a relationship strong that long?"
"The neighborhood around them has changed a lot over the decades. How do you think our neighborhood has changed since we moved here?"
"If you had to leave your room and all your stuff behind, what would be hardest to say goodbye to?"

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5 Flights Up – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise