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How I Learned to Fly

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for How I Learned to Fly 2023 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Two African-American teenage brothers suddenly find themselves on their own after being mysteriously abandoned by their parents. Deeply haunted by the mental and physical abuse inflicted by their father (Wu-Tang Clan's Cliff "Method Man" Smith), elder brother Daniel (Marcus Scribner, ABC's Black-ish) is determined to prevent their lives from falling apart. He maintains a daily routine, works as a dishwasher and does his best to keep a roof over their heads. Younger brother Eli (Lonnie Chavis, NBC's This Is Us) struggles to cope with the absence of his mother, leaving her voicemail messages in search of answers. Embarking on a journey of survival and self-discovery, they uncover moments of beauty, newfound meaning and enduring love that strengthen their bond despite the uncertain road ahead. Featuring supporting performances by Cedric the Entertainer and Michele Selene Ang, How I Learned to Fly is a poignant story of determination and resilience in the face of profound adversity.
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How I Learned to Fly

Critics Reviews

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Tina Kakadelis Beyond the Cinerama Dome 02/24/2024
How I Learned to Fly reminds us that humans aren’t meant to go it alone. That the easiest thing a person can do is to offer help and the bravest thing a person can do is accept that help. Go to Full Review Matthew Roe Film Threat 12/12/2023
7/10
This narrative structure (or lack thereof) ends up as both a profound positive and a somewhat detractive negative for How I Learned to Fly. Go to Full Review Julian Roman MovieWeb 12/05/2023
2/5
How I Learned to Fly is a heartbreaking journey through poverty and helplessness. The film's message has merit and illustrates serious societal failures, but unfortunately veers into sluggish melodrama. Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Common Sense Media 12/03/2023
4/5
Gentle and deeply compassionate, this drama manages to depict harsh realities without being harsh itself, focusing on hope and change. Go to Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru 12/01/2023
A wise, tender and heartfelt emotional journey. It embraces the message behind Pablo Neruda's poem, "They can cut all of the flowers, but they can't stop the spring from coming." Go to Full Review Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies 12/01/2023
2.5/4
It's a fine line between drama and melodrama, and How I Learned to Fly crosses it a few too many times to ignore. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garry A @heavyg Jul 31 This was a brutal film to watch. It was gut punch after gut punch with a little hope sprinkled throughout. It is a good movie. It had my stomach in knots. See more Valerie G Mar 9 I absolutely loved this movie! Excellent acting by all, especially Method Man. Took a little long to expose what happened to the parents and never really hinted about the issue with Eli...STILL GREAT! See more Jtred t Jan 29 Absolutely beautiful and touching. I'm so glad I clicked on this to watch. I recommend this highly. See more Bayne T 08/04/2024 critics will always critic the way they critic, the film is worth a watch, at least once in ones lifetime See more S. H 07/03/2024 Love was truly evident in this film on numerous occasions, and it brought tears to my eyes! See more Kasina B 06/23/2024 Sad sad sad at first I am at the middle of the movie now so I will keep you posted on results See more Read all reviews
How I Learned to Fly

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Cast & Crew

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Simon Steuri

Director

Marcus Scribner

Actor

Lonnie Chavis

Actor

Method Man

Actor

Cedric the Entertainer

Actor

Michele Selene Ang

Actor

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How I Learned to Fly

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How I Learned to Fly

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Movie Info

Synopsis Two African-American teenage brothers suddenly find themselves on their own after being mysteriously abandoned by their parents. Deeply haunted by the mental and physical abuse inflicted by their father (Wu-Tang Clan's Cliff "Method Man" Smith), elder brother Daniel (Marcus Scribner, ABC's Black-ish) is determined to prevent their lives from falling apart. He maintains a daily routine, works as a dishwasher and does his best to keep a roof over their heads. Younger brother Eli (Lonnie Chavis, NBC's This Is Us) struggles to cope with the absence of his mother, leaving her voicemail messages in search of answers. Embarking on a journey of survival and self-discovery, they uncover moments of beauty, newfound meaning and enduring love that strengthen their bond despite the uncertain road ahead. Featuring supporting performances by Cedric the Entertainer and Michele Selene Ang, How I Learned to Fly is a poignant story of determination and resilience in the face of profound adversity.
Director
Simon Steuri
Producer
Eric Binns, Oliver Ridge, Andrew Harvey, Jewerl Ross
Screenwriter
Lonnie Chavis, Simon Steuri
Distributor
Film Movement
Production Co
Silent R Management
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 1, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 20, 2024
Runtime
1h 44m
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