Chris Wilcha moved from New York to Los Angeles with the goal of becoming a successful documentary filmmaker. However, he soon found himself immersed in the world of directing TV commercials to make ends meet. Now, his latest project, Flipside, brings him back to the suburban New Jersey record store where he once worked as a teenager.
Directed by the multi-talented Chris Wilcha, who has earned two Emmys for his work on the short-lived TV version of This American Life, Flipside is more than just a nostalgic trip. Sharing insights about unfulfilled artistic dreams and the constant battle between creativity and commerce, Wilcha explores deeper themes such as the desire to collect, nostalgia, and life’s inevitable failures.
Judd Apatow, writer/director and executive producer of Flipside, eloquently reflects on his career: If I’m gonna shill, why not shill with meaning?
The documentary prominently features Wilcha’s revisit to Flipside Records, owned by Dan, whose resilience and commitment have kept the shop afloat even in challenging times. A symbol of both accomplishment and forgotten moments, Flipside Records becomes a metaphor for life’s mixed outcomes.
As Wilcha renews his dedication to telling this story, we see vignettes of other unique personas. These include oddball comedian Uncle Floyd whose fame window might have been brief but inspiring enough to warrant a song by David Bowie. Uncle Floyd’s skits often ended with him playing a tune at the piano: He surrounded himself with an equally demented cast who acted in the skits Floyd created or starred in their own creations.
Another fascinating character is jazz photographer Herman Leonard. Reflecting upon his snapping images of musical legends, Leonard highlights patience as pivotal: Living and working in New York during the 1940s-1950s gave Herman Leonard countless opportunities to capture the most influential and important Jazz musicians in history.
Rounding out these profiles is David Milch, famed creator of high-profile dramas like Deadwood and NYPD Blue, whose own trials are showcased alongside his unyielding generosity.
Flipside‘s narrative deftly navigates through these stories while reflecting on Wilcha’s own journey from youthful ambitions to commercial realities. Despite challenges along his path, Wilcha’s enduring passion for both art and storytelling ties this documentary into a compelling exploration of life’s A-sides and B-sides, making it all music worth listening to.
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